Learning More About Financial Aid
Web Sites
- Scholarship Help
- Provides a general overview of the process of applying for scholarships.
- Finaid.org information on other kinds of aid
- Specifically helps graduate students search for scholarships and other forms of financial aid such as loans and military aid. Application forms and instructions are found through this site.
- Access Group
- Helps potential and current graduate students search for loans that could help them with graduate school, medical school, dental school, law school or international study. Application procedures are provided, as well as information about repayment. There are also tips on how to finance your education in five easy steps.
- Fellowships.gradschools.com
- Provides lists of fellowships available throughout the country. The list provides the name of the institution, specifics about the fellowship and application procedures. Updated regularly.
- Gradloans.com
- Gives information about student loans (what they mean for students financially and legally); Stafford and Perkins loans; private and federal loans; loan deferment; and how to avoid loan default.
- MotleyFool.com
- Provides good information for young people (20’s and 30’s) and all graduate students about saving money, investing in stocks and bonds, and how to spend your money wisely when purchasing cars and houses.
- Student Financial Aid: Understanding the Process. University of Missouri
- This MU site links students into MU Student Financial Aid and provides an explanation of the financial aid process (evaluating need, FASFA, applications).
- University of Missouri Extension Publications
- This pdf site provides several helpful hints about money management and living on less. Better ways to shop, how to manage personal habits, travel costs and more are all discussed in an effort to show how you can make living on financial aid and GTA money more realistic.
- Next Student
- Here, students can find out if they are eligible for 60% loan consolidation through the federal government. Simply provide information about the amount of the loan, and you will instantly find out if you are eligible. If you are not, a phone number for Next Student Education Finance Advisers is given. The advisers can help you find a program that will help you to consolidate.
- Free Grant Search
- Students can enter their zip code, date of birth and email address and electronically receive lists of grants for which they are eligible.
Articles
- McPherson, M., & Schapiro, M. (2002). "The blurring line between merit and need in financial aid." Change, 34, p. 38-46.
- The authors explain their findings — that a student’s academic promise is more of an influence on the financial aid s/he receives than his or her family’s demonstrated financial need.
- "Financial Aid and Your Income Tax Return." Chany, K. Princeton Review
- Examines the impacts of the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ tax forms on the FASFA application process.
- T"he Importance of Credit." Princeton Review
- Explains how to establish a good credit rating, the importance of maintaining a good credit rating, and how you can go about getting a credit report.
- "How to Avoid Debt." Princeton Review
- Investigates the importance of avoiding credit card debt and how to save money while living below your means. Also provides tips on how to develop a budget that is livable.
- "Comparing Grad School Loans and Their Repayment Options."Diffley, P., & Russo, J. Princeton Review
- In a particularly important section, Diffley and Russo discuss the different loan repayment options available to graduate school students and alumni.
- "How Much Should You Borrow?" Princeton Review
- Discusses the largest amount of money a student can borrow by law, but goes on to say that this is a surefire way to create insurmountable debt. Advice for considering how much financial aid to accept includes: calculate the amount needed for school, project total debt and monthly payment after graduation, estimate an out-of-school budget and evaluate the bottom line.
Books
- Chronicle Financial Aid Guide 2003-2004: Scholarships and loans for high school students, college undergraduates, graduates, and adult learners. Chronicle Guidance Publications, Inc.
- Paying For Graduate School Without Going Broke: 2004 Edition. Princeton Review Press.