Home-school families & Educators... Assistance Needed

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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:11 pm

If you are involved in education, or if your family home-schools, I need your assistance (for information, not money I know how this sounds).

A friend of mine is graduating high school as a home-schooler. Her father recently lost his job, and the family is living off of what was the kids' college fund.

I know there are programs out there to help students in this situation with funds to go to college but I don't know where to find them and I am sure all of you here can imagine what happens when you try to search for legitimate things such as this on the internet. Loans, grants, scholarships... anything that you may have information on would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18312

I recommend having the parents/student visit the guidance department (or whatever they call it now) at the local high school. The front of the office is usually full of pamphlets/information regarding scholarships and grants.

Edit: Also, look here: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

and here: http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:43 pm

IB hit it right on the head. Here's a direct link to the federal aid site.
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Don't pay anyone for any forms. Don't pay for seminars. Where is this person going to attend? The school that the student will attend will also have financial aid departments. Is the graduation this year or next? Community colleges are great for both vocational training and transfer to accredited 4 year institutions. Federal aid is also available to community college students.

Elite Baiter Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 1269

As has been said, fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Make sure they go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, not any .com sites. The commercial sites charge quite a hefty fee. Plug in the exact numbers as directed, but also have your friend explain the job loss situation to the financial aid administrator.

If the school is on this list, then they are involved in the federal aid program. If not, call the school and check if they are or not. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/FSLookupServlet;jsessionid=0001DL3mS_2UebFhfuGGfRRDH3P:11efeurh7

I assume that you and your friend are both in Texas, from the location in your profile. Here is the info on how to get Texas state aid:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
P.O. Box 12788, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(800) 242-3062
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us

Have your friend check with the financial aid department at the college to find out when the state aid and school aid deadlines are. Many of them have passed already.

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