Financial Aid From the U.S. Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov
The Student Financial Assistance Programs are the largest source of student aid in America, providing over $40 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. Here you'll find help for every stage of the financial aid process, whether you're in school or out of school.
The Federal Student Aid Information Center
http://studentaid.gov
The Federal Student Aid Information Center provides information on Pell Grants, other federal financial aid, and the FAFSA. The Center's toll free number is (800) 4FED.AID.
California Student Aid Commission
http://www.csac.ca.gov
The California Student Aid Commission provides answers to questions about CAL grants etc... and other state programs. The Commission's telephone number is (916) 526-7590.
National Student Loan Clearing House
http://www.nslc.org
Directory of State Higher Education Agencies
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/agencies.html
This site provides a list of state grant agencies and governing boards.
Financial Aid Information Page
This award winning site has grown into the most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web. Access to Fin Aid is free for all users and there is no charge to link to the site.
INDEPENDENT FUNDING
Peterson's Educational Center claims to be the most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web and the nation's leading information services provider. Peterson's mission is to help connect individuals, educational institutions, and corporations with their goals through its critically acclaimed books, software, networking services, online activities, and special admissions services.
This site has the tools and advice to help applicants achieve their educational and career goals. Users can search for schools, chat with others going through the same process, get test prep advice, apply to college, and learn all the stats and scoop they crave about the schools they are interested in.
APPLICATIONS
If you don't have web access but you have a computer with a modem and the Windows operating system, you can compete the application and transmit it over a regular telephone line in just a few easy steps using FAFSA Express. You can order FAFSA Express disks by calling (800) 801-0576
http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA/
This web site explains how to properly complete a FAFSA, the purpose of the questions, and how to report information in some unusual cases. If you have questions about federal student aid, contact your financial aid administrator or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID (800 433-3243). TTY users may call (800) 730-8913.
Federal School Codes (used to complete the FAFSA)
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/apply/search.html
This site provides a search page to find the Federal School Codes for schools for which you may wish to apply. SCHOLARSHIPS
FastWeb
Best all around search, this site uses the Internet to help students find scholarships for college. Each student's background is matched automatically with eligibility requirements for scholarships from around the country and advised about scholarship opportunities tailored to them. It's free and a mailbox can be set up that will be continually updated with new scholarships according to your user profile.
MACH25
Database of over 500,000 private sector scholarships. It will generate letters for you to send for more information.
The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid
FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web.
Access to FinAid is free for all users and there is no charge to link to the site. This organization's site provides access to several free scholarship databases available online.
TAX CREDITS
Hope Credit or Lifetime Learning Tax Credit
http://www.ed.gov/updates/97918tax.html
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education
http://www.irs.ustreas.gov
This site provides information on federal income tax credits for some educational expenses. See the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Higher Education. Order the free publication from the IRS by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) or download the publication at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov
EDUCATION
California Department of Education
http://goldmine.cde.ca.gov/
College Opportunities On-Line
http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool
University of California
http://www.ucop.edu
California State University
http://www.calstate.edu
California Community Colleges
http://www.cccco.edu
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
http://www.aiccu.edu
California Virtual University
http://www.california.edu
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco
Employment Trends
http://www.edd.cahwnet.gov
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
http://www.oalj.dol.gov/libdot.htm
Corporation for National and Community Service
http://www.cns.gov
