The Federal government offers a variety of financial aid to students. This aid is usually in the form of grants, loans and work-study programs. Federal grants are annual awards that do not have to be repaid. Students, however, do have to repay Federal student loans, but these loans carry lower interest rates than standard loans. A listing and description of Federal financial aid can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education, called The Student Guide to Financial Aid. To order, write:
R. Woods
Consumer Information Center
Pueblo, Colorado 81009
Pell Grants assist college students in paying for their undergraduate Education Grant awards range from $200 to $2,400 each year for eligible students.
Federal Plus Loans/Federal Supplemental Loans are federally guaranteed loans to students. Loan awards of up to $4,000 per academic year or a total of $20,000 is provided to eligible students.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Grants provide funds of Native American students who demonstrate financial need. For more information, contact the Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202. (202) 208-4871. |
| Perkins Loans |
Head Start teachers can apply for a student loan exemption through the Perkins Loan program, which used to be called the National Direct Student Loan. This loan is different form a Guaranteed Student Loan.
The Perkins Loan is available for anyone who is a full-time staff member in a Head Start program. Cancellation of the loan depends on year of service and can be up to 100 percent of the loan. The cancellation rate is 15 percent per academic year of service within the Head Start program.
To quality for the loan, you must be a regular employee and have worked for Head Start for a full academic year or the equivalent. As an applicant from a local Head Start agency, you must have a salary that is lower than or comparable to that of a person in a local education program. To apply, request the Single File Form or other financial aid forms from your local college's or university's financial aid Department
Additional information is available form the U.S. Department of Education at 800/433-3243. |
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