ERIC ED472507: Creating Options: A Resource on Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities. 2003 Edition.

20 Pages·0.34 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 472 507
HE 035 623
Creating Options: A Resource on Financial Aid for Students
TITLE
with Disabilities. 2003 Edition.
INSTITUTION
American Council on Education, Washington, DC. HEATH Resource
Center.
SPONS AGENCY Department of Education, Washington, DC.
PUB DATE 2003-01-00
NOTE
19p.; Updated by Daniel Gardner. For the 2002 edition, see ED
468 792.
CONTRACT H326H010005
AVAILABLE FROM
HEATH Resource Center, The George Washington University, 2121
K Street, NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20037. Tel: 202 -973-
0904 (Voice/TTY); Tel: [phone] (Toll Free); Fax: 202-
973 -0908; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site:
http://www.heath.gwu.edu.
PUB TYPE
Guides
Non-Classroom (055)
Information Analyses (070)
EDRS PRICE
EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
Check Lists; *College Applicants; *Disabilities; Eligibility;
*Paying for College; *Student Financial Aid; Student Loan
Programs; *Vocational Rehabilitation
ABSTRACT
This resource paper provides an overview of student financial
aid and discusses the roles and responsibilities of those who play a
significant part in the process of providing aid to students with
disabilities. The paper also addresses the financial aid application
procedure and suggests timelines and resources for those individuals who are
seeking financial aid. The information in this paper was based on the best
available information at the time of publication in January 2003 and reflects
information for the 2003-2004 school year. The discussion covers the various
types of financial aid, the vocabulary used to describe them, and the
processes involved in their disbursement. Particular attention is given to
those expenses considered disability-related. Also included is a brief
description of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) AgencieS, the services they
provide, and the interaction between the state VR agency and the financial
aid office of a postsecondary institution. A list of resources for additional
information is included.
(SLD)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Creating Options: A Resource on
Financial Aid for Students with
Disabilities 2003 Edition
HEATH Resource Center
The George Washington University
2002
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
This document has been reproduced as
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
received from the person or organization
BEEN
ANTED BY
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
V.
improve reproduction quality.
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
official OERI position or policy.
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
2
COP Y AUZL, LA2
The George Washington University
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
HEATH
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Resource Center
CREATING OPTIONS: A RESOURCE ON FINANCIAL AID FOR
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 2003 EDITION
in the process of providing aid to students with
While education beyond high school in the United
disabilities. The paper also addresses the financial
States is optional, it has become a necessary
aid application procedure and suggests timelines
investment in future employment and life
and resources for those individuals who are seeking
satisfaction for many people. Most, however,
financial aid. The information in this paper was
cannot afford to make this investment without some
based on the best available information at the time
outside monetary assistance. Over the years, public
of publication in January 2002 and reflects
and private sources of money have been developed
information for the 2003-2004 school year. The
specifically to meet this need. As increasing, but
HEATH staff have prepared this resource paper for
limited, amounts of money have become available,
students, parents, and all professionals who assist
a standardized method of determining eligibility has
students with disabilities in securing financial
evolved to promote equitable distribution of student
assistance for postsecondary education.
financial aid.
The discussion below covers the various types of
Financial aid is based on a partnership among the
financial aid, the technical words and phrases used
student, parents, postsecondary educational
to describe them, and the process involved in their
institutions, state and federal governments, and
disbursement. Particular attention is given to those
available private resources. For the student with a
expenses that are considered disability-related, and
disability, the partnership also may include a
suggestions are made about ways in which some of
Vocational Rehabilitation agency and the Social
those expenses may be met. Also included is a brief
Security Administration. Such a partnership
description of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
requires cooperation from all and an understanding
Agencies, the services that they may provide, and
by each of their responsibilities within the financial
the interaction between the state VR agency and the
aid process.
financial aid office of a postsecondary institution.
Finally, suggestions are offered about additional
Obtaining financial aid can be a complex process.
possibilities for financial assistance.
Laws frequently are amended, and eligibility
requirements, policy, and disbursement of
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?
governmental funds change each year. As the costs
Financial aid is designed to help individuals meet
of a postsecondary education rise, keeping informed
their educational expenses when their own
about changes in the financial aid system becomes
resources are not sufficient. A student who believes
imperative.
that his or her own and family resources are not
sufficient to pay for all the costs of attendance
This resource paper provides an overview of student
(tuition, room and board, books, transportation,
financial aid and discusses the roles and
campus activities, etc.) should apply for financial
responsibilities of those who play a significant part
The George Washington University
HEATH Resource Center
Washington, DC 20037
2121 K Street, N.W. Suite 220
Fax: [phone]
Voice/TTY: 202-973-0904
1-800-544-3284 (toll-free)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.heath.gwu.edu
3
TTRrir C'1111PIT AVAILARLE
2 The GW HEATH Resource Center
and unsubsidized loan programs do not take into
account any family contribution, these loans
aid through the financial aid office of the institution
(individually or combined) cannot exceed the
he or she plans to attend.
difference between the student's cost of attending a
postsecondary institution and the student's other
Four types of aid are available:
financial aid (including scholarships).
1.GrantsAid that generally does not have to
be repaid.
Generally, a postsecondary school participates in
2. LoansMoney borrowed to cover school
either the Federal Family Education Loan Program
costs, which must be repaid (usually with
or the Direct Loan Program. A student may not
interest) over a specified period of time
borrow both a Federal Stafford and a Direct Loan
(usually after the student has left school or
for the same period of enrollment, nor may a parent
graduated).
borrow both a Federal PLUS and a Direct PLUS
3. Work-studyEmployment that enables a
simultaneously for the same student. The terms and
student to earn money toward a portion of
conditions of the Direct Loan programs mirror those
school costs during or between periods of
of the FFEL programs, except that the Direct Loan
enrollment.
programs carry additional repayment options.
4. ScholarshipsGifts and awards based on
student's academic achievement, background
Financial assistance is also available through
or other criteria.
AmeriCorps, a program authorized under the National
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. This
The federal government contributes to the first three
program provides individuals ages 17 and over with
types of student financial aid. These programs are
the opportunity to earn education awards of $4,725 in
explained in a booklet called Funding Your
exchange for full-time service of at least one year or
Education from the U.S. Department of Education.
part-time service of at least two years in an approved
For a free copy, write to: Federal Student Aid
program of community service. An individual may
Programs, Box 84, Washington, DC 20044, or call
serve up to two terms and earn up to two education
[phone] or [phone] (TTY). The
awards. For more information about exchanging
booklet is also available at the following Web
national or community service for educational funding,
address: http://www.ed.gov/prog info/SFA/FYE/.
contact AmeriCorps at [phone] or visit their
web site: http://www.americorps.org.
The programs described in the booklet are:
Federal Pell Grants
Some colleges, states, and other entities may also
1.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
offer aid that is merit-based, which means that
2.
funds are provided to students without regard to
Grants (FSEOG)
financial need if certain conditions (such as high
Federal Work-Study (FWS)
3.
grades) are met. The financial aid administrator at
Federal Perkins Loans
4.
the school of your choice is the best resource for
Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)
5.
locating merit-based or any other financial aid
including:
a. Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and
resources for attending that school.
unsubsidized)
b. Federal PLUS Loans
WHAT APPLICATION DO I COMPLETE?
William D. Ford Direct Loans including:
6.
All students applying for federal assistance are
a. Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and
required to complete the Free Application for
unsubsidized)
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who
b. Federal Direct PLUS Loans
applied for federal financial aid in the previous year
have the option of completing a Renewal Free
All of these programs, except the unsubsidized and
Application for Federal Student Aid (Renewal
PLUS loans, are based on the financial need of the
student and his or her family. Although the PLUS
4
3 The GW HEATH Resource Center .
Students who do not provide an e-mail address
FAFSA). There is no charge to complete or process
will receive either 1) a paper SAR If the student
the FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA.
filed a paper SAR, or 2) a paper SAR
The Department of Education develops the FAFSA
Acknowledgement If the student filed via FAFSA
and the Renewal FAFSA in both paper and
on the Web or EDExpress.
electronic formats. To apply, students may use any
of the following formats:
WHAT IS THE FAMILY CONTRIBUTION?
FAFSA on the Web
The family contribution is the amount of money the
EDExpress application software
family of a student is expected to contribute toward
The paper FAFSA
college expenses. The family includes the student
and the student's parents in the case of a dependent
FAFSA on the Web allows students to complete a
student, or the student (and spouse, if any) in the
FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA online and submit it
case of an independent student. The amount the
via the Internet. To learn more about this process,
family is expected to contribute is calculated by a
visit the following web site:
standardized formula that takes into account the
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
family's financial resources (income and assets),
family size, and basic living expenses. The
FAFSA Express is a software program that allows
calculation of family contribution is based on
students to apply for federal student aid from their
information provided by the student's family on a
home computer. Students can order a copy on
standardized need analysis form.
diskette by calling 1-800-801-0576 or download the
program from the U.S. Department of Education's
Before completing the FAFSA, students must first
web site at
determine their dependency status. If, for the
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/apply/f
purposes of applying for financial aid, the student is
express.html. Students who do not have a home
considered to be dependent, then the student and the
computer can use this program at a public library,
student's parents must complete the FAFSA.
college, or high school that has a copy of FAFSA
Express for public use.
If the student is considered to be independent, only
the student (and the student's spouse, if married)
Some schools will complete the application for
must complete the FAFSA. A student may qualify
students using an electronic software product
as financially independent if he or she: is 24 years
developed for use by schools only called
of age or older by December 31 of the award year
EDExpress. Students must first check with their
(12/31/03 for the 2003-2004 award year), is a
school to make sure that it has EDExpress
veteran of the armed forces of the United States,
application capability.
will be a graduate or professional student for 2003-
2004, is an orphan or ward of the court, is married,
Copies of the paper FAFSA are available at high
has legal dependents other than a spouse, or is a
schools and colleges or by contacting the Federal
student for whom a financial aid administrator
Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-
makes a documented determination of
4FEDAID.
independence by reason of other unusual
circumstances.
Once the application has been processed, students
will receive the processed result In one of two
Students who are also applying for non-federal
ways:
financial assistance from postsecondary institutions
or from their state of residence may be required to
Students who provide an e-mail address on the
complete an additional form, and may be required
application will receive an e-mail notification
to pay a fee for processing this information. Check
containing a direct link to the student's Student Aid
with the financial aid offices of the colleges or
Report (SAR) data on SAR on the Web.
4 The GW HEATH Resource Center
.
university. For example, cost of attendance may
include day-care costs for students with dependent
universities that you are interested in attending to
children. Expenses associated with a period of study
determine what additional forms for non-federal
abroad that is part of the student's educational
assistance you should file.
program, or during a cooperative education
experience, may also increase a student's cost of
The financial aid office can also tell you about the
attendance. Costs related to a student's disability
availability of state aid and whether you will need
may also be included under certain circumstances
to file an additional form to apply for such aid. The
(see page 5). A student who believes his or her
financial aid office can either supply you with any
costs are higher than the standard estimated by the
additional forms needed to apply for state aid or tell
college or university should ask to speak with the
you how to obtain the necessary forms. If you reside
institution's financial aid administrator.
in a state other than the one in which the college is
located, the college can tell you where to obtain this
Whether a student is taking classes on a full-time or
information for the state in which you reside.
part-time basis may also impact his or her cost of
WHAT IS THE COST OF ATTENDANCE?
attendance. A student's "enrollment status" is
Each college or university must estimate the costs a
usually measured as full-time, three-quarter time,
student will reasonably encounter in order to attend
half-time, or less than half-time. The definition of
that institution. Cost of attendance will always
these measurements may vary at different
include a figure for tuition and fees. Supplies
institutions, but federal rules establish certain
needed for coursework are sometimes included in
minimum definitions that must be used when
tuition, but more often books and supplies are
determining the amount of a student's federal
estimated separately. Cost of attendance should also
financial aid. Although a college or university may
include estimates for living expensesprimarily
increase the amount of work required to classify a
room and board, as well as a moderate amount for
student as full-time, an institution may not reduce
personal and miscellaneous expenses. Cost of
the federal minimum definition for any reason.
attendance is sometimes called "cost of education"
However, a college or university may allow a
or "student budget."
student with unusual circumstances (such as a
disability) extra time to complete his or her program
For students living in dormitories or other local
and may award financial aid during the extra terms
housing, cost of attendance estimates should include
or periods of enrollment.
transportation for trips between the student's home
and the college or university at the beginning and
The amount of tuition estimated for a student
end of the period of attendance, as well as any
attending on a part-time basis is generally less than
breaks during which the institution closes its
the amount estimated for full-time attendance. The
housing facilities. For a student commuting daily
allowances for books and travel might also be less
from home, transportation includes a reasonable
for a part-time student. Allowances for room and
amount for commuting, usually using public
board and certain other costs are eliminated entirely
transportation if it is available. Purchase of a car for
for students who attend less than half-time. In
commuting purposes may not be considered an
addition to affecting a student's cost of attendance,
education-related expense, although the basic
part-time enrollment directly affects the maximum
maintenance of a car during the student's
amount allowable under certain aid programs.
enrollment may be included. Also, new rules allow
WHAT IS FINANCIAL NEED?
schools the option of including the cost of
The financial need of a student is the difference
purchasing or renting a personal computer into the
between the student's educational expenses and the
cost of attendance.
amount of money the family is expected to
contribute. In general terms, the formula to
In addition, costs related to a student's particular
determine financial need is shown in the box on
personal circumstances may also be included if they
page 2. There is no guarantee, however, that any
are incurred as a result of attending the college or
5 The GW HEATH Resource Center
comply by the deadlines for those documents to
keep the aid application process on track. It is also
one institution will be able to meet the total
important to note that students must reapply for
financial need of any given student.
financial aid every year.
WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS?
WHAT IS A FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE?
The financial aid process is designed to equitably
A financial aid package is a combination of
serve the approximately 19.5 million undergraduate
financial aid resources (grants, loans, work-study)
and graduate students currently enrolled at more
put together by the institution's financial aid
than 7,000 postsecondary educational institutions.
administrator and designed to meet, as closely as
The scope of the financial aid system requires that
possible, a student's individual financial need. The
the application process be standardized. Describing
amount and types of assistance in a package depend
special circumstances or needs, therefore, may
on the cost of attendance at a particular institution,
require additional effort on the part of the applicant.
the student's need, availability of funds at the
Applicants who have special needs, such as
institution, and funds available from outside
disability-related expenses, should express those
sources. Thus, a student may be offered two
needs to the aid administrator at the postsecondary
different financial aid packages if he or she applies
institution. Because of the complexity of the
to two different institutions. Students should
system, however, they must take care to express
compare not only the dollars offered, but also the
those needs within the context of the system as
composition of the financial aid package from each
explained below.
institution. The following examples illustrate
different packages of fmancial aid that a student
According to many directors of financial aid, taking
might be offered at two different institutions.
care to be early and accurate in applying for aid is
School A costs $5,000 to attend, and School B costs
the most important step in the financial aid process.
$10,000. (See box on this page.)
However, completing the financial aid application
form early requires you to report income tax
Note.; The aid amounts are for illustration purposes
information well in advance of the April 15th
only and do not necessarily reflect actual amounts a
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax filing deadline.
student could expect from a similar school.
Campus financial aid administrators suggest that a
In the examples on this page, School B offers
family complete the tax information in time to file
$8,600 this year, whereas School A offers less than
the FAFSA (and any additional non-federal forms)
half of that. However, if the student chooses School
by the college's or university's deadline, or use an
B, he or she must find $400 more than the expected
estimate rather than delay completing and
family contribution. On the other hand, School B
processing the form. A processed application can be
may have the academic program of choice and the
corrected if the actual IRS tax information differs
necessary support services. Thus, the student may
from the estimate. If an individual's processed aid
believe that in the long run, School B is the right
application is not received by the date specified by
choice.
the college or university, the student may lose
priority for many forms of aid, both federal and
In addition to comparing the total dollars offered in
institutional. Students and their families should be
aid by each institution, however, students need to
aware that because aid application deadlines vary
consider level of indebtedness, terms of loan
from institution to institution and may call for
repayment, and the institution's policy on how the
differing information, early preparation will ensure
aid packages will be constructed in subsequent
that all deadlines can be met with appropriate
years. Students, their families, financial aid
information.
personnel, and, where relevant, rehabilitation
counselors of students with disabilities should
If the college or university requests documentation
evaluate the amount of debt a student can
of application information, such as signed tax
reasonably repay after graduating. Career choices
returns or verification statements, the family must
6 The GW HEATH Resource Center is
Services and/or the Financial Aid Office to
determine disability-related expenses.
often determine (or are determined by) a student's
level of indebtedness and terms of repayment of
Once these expenses have been identified, students
financial aid loans.
should provide the financial aid administrator with
documentation of any disability-related expense that
From year to year, financial aid administrators may
is necessary to ensure attainment of the student's
vary the combination of grant, loan, and work-study
educational goal. Where applicable, this
money in a student's aid package, emphasizing
documentation should also state the amounts that
loans for freshmen and work-study or scholarships
will be covered by insurance and other assisting
in later yearsor the other way around. Institutions
agencies. Depending on the institution,
might not have uniform policies on financial aid
documentation may be simply a written statement
package combinations over time. Ask the financial
of explanation by the student or an official
aid administrator what the institution's policy is
statement by a doctor or Vocational Rehabilitation
beyond the first year of study.
counselor. To be certain of the appropriate
documentation, the student should check with the
WHAT EXPENSES ARE CONSIDERED
institution's financial aid office. By virtue of
DISABILITY RELATED?
provisions within the Americans with Disabilities
The student with a disability is often faced with
Act (1990) and The Rehabilitation Act (1973), all
additional expenses not incurred by other students.
public and private postsecondary institutions are
These may include:
required to provide reasonable accommodations for
Special equipment (related to the disability) and
students with documented disabilities who request
its maintenance.
them.
Cost of services for personal use or study, such as
readers, interpreters, note takers, or personal care
Some special equipment and support services may
attendants.
be available at the postsecondary institution,
Transportation, if traditional means are not
through public or private community organizations,
accessible.
through the state Vocational Rehabilitation Agency,
Medical expenses not covered by insurance that
or through organizations for people with
relate directly to the individual's disability.
disabilities. The student should check with the
Student Services Personnel, 504 Coordinator, or
Students should be sure to inform the aid
Office of Disability Support Services at the
administrator of disability-related expenses that
postsecondary institution.
may previously have been covered by the family
budget. These may include food and veterinary bills
Probably the most valuable resource to a new
for guide dogs, batteries for hearing aids and a
student is the network of students with disabilities
Typed Text (TTY) [previously called a
already on campus. Students with disabilities who
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)], or
have had similar experiences and similar needs are
the cost of recruiting and training readers or
likely to have practical advice and low-cost
personal care attendants.
solutions to problems that incoming students with
disabilities frequently encounter.
Leaving home often necessitates the purchase of
new or additional equipment that will allow the
Regardless of whether the student is able to obtain
student to be independent at college. For example,
any special equipment or services through the
the student's secondary school may have furnished
institution or elsewhere, it is still important to let the
an adapted computer or other disability-related
financial aid administrator know of any anticipated
equipment, but that equipment belongs to and
expenses. Such information is considered in the
remains at the high school after the student
determination of the student's financial need, on
graduates. Students with disabilities should seek
which all aid decisions are based. It is also
assistance from the Office of Disability Support
important to understand that disability-related
7 The GW HEATH Resource Center
Telecommunications, sensory, and other
technological aids and devices.
expenses that are covered by other assisting
Other goods and services that help an individual
agencies cannot also be covered by financial aid
with a disability become employed.
from the school.
HOW DOES VOCATIONAL
Services provided to an individual must be
REHABILITATION FIT INTO THE
authorized in advance in an Individualized Plan for
FINANCIAL AID PROCESS?
Employment (IPE) developed by the client and
Assistance to students with disabilities is often
approved by a VR counselor.
provided by state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
agencies. In some states there are two agencies: a
The above items may differ from state to state, and
general agency and one for people who are blind or
may be subject to a test of a client's ability to pay.
visually impaired. In other states, there is one
They require the use of resources from another
agency serving all people with disabilities. State
agency ("comparable benefits") before a
Vocational Rehabilitation agency titles vary from
commitment of VR funds is made. There are
state to state, and thus may be hard to locate in the
differences between states' VR programs because
telephone directory. You may contact a state
each participating state administers its own program
education agency, public library, or Governor's
through the provisions of a state plan that has been
Committee on Employment of People with
developed under the guidelines of the act and
Disabilities for the telephone number and address of
approved by the U.S. Department of Education. For
your local VR agency.
additional information, request Vocational
Rehabilitation Services: A Consumer Guide for
The local Vocational Rehabilitation agency has VR
Postsecondary Students from HEATH.
counselors who can help a person with a disability
determine his or her eligibility for assistance. The
IS THERE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE
VR program is an eligibility program, rather than an
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION
AGENCIES AND THE FINANCIAL AID
entitlement program. To be eligible for services, an
OFFICES?
individual must have an impairment that results in a
Most states have developed working agreements
substantial impediment to employment and can
between state associations of financial aid
benefit from and requires VR services for
administrators and Vocational Rehabilitation
employment. The primary goal of a VR counselor is
administrators. These agreements allow for a
to assist the client in becoming employed; therefore,
coordinated effort in providing funds for students
the counselor will look closely at a student's
with disabilities in participating states. The
educational plans in terms of job potential. While
agreement, or memorandum of understanding,
initial counseling and evaluation are open to all, the
establishes the process a VR agency and
counselor may determine that a client is not eligible
postsecondary educational institution will follow in
for other services based on state agency policies
determining the aid to be granted to a VR
governing economic need, order of selection, or
client/student. It is important to note that the federal
other criteria.
Rehabilitation Act, as amended, requires that
students served by a VR agency apply for student
Among the services that may be provided by VR
financial aid.
agencies to a student who is a client are:
Help with tuition expenses.
Through standardized information exchange forms,
Room and board.
the VR and financial aid offices are kept abreast of
Transportation/ commuting expenses.
what the other is doing. The process is not a simple
Books and supplies.
one; it takes time and requires a constant effort by
Reader services for people who are blind or who
both offices and the student. Often a student's aid
have learning disabilities; interpreter services for
package is recalculated several times as new
people who are hearing impaired; and/or
information is provided by either office.
individually prescribed aids and devices.
8 The GW HEATH Resource Center .
or no income and resources. The amount of SSI
payment is dependent on the income and resources
The best advice for a student with a disability in the
of the client. (If the student is under 18, some of the
quest for financial assistance is to contact as early
parents' income and resources will be included.)
as possible both the VR agency where the student is
The student should be aware that earnings from
a client and the financial aid office of the institution
work-study or other employment may affect SSI
the student plans to attend to be sure to meet both
benefits. If the Social Security Administration
their deadlines. The institution will determine the
approves a Plan for Achieving Self Support, the
student's eligibility for financial assistance and
student would be able to set aside income and
develop an award package. Meanwhile, VR will
resources that are being used toward a specific
also determine the student's additional disability-
vocational goal (tuition, savings for equipment or
related needs and, if possible, award funds.
other needs) and continue to receive SSI payments.
Whatever is not covered by the VR agency can be
Plans can be developed by Vocational
recalculated by the institution into the student's
Rehabilitation counselors, public or private social
expenses, and, if funds allow, the student's aid may
agencies or groups, anyone assisting the student, or
be increased. Even with excellent cooperation
by the student. For more information on SSI and the
between the financial aid administrator and the
Plan for Achieving Self Support, contact your local
Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, there still may
Social Security Administration office.
be a need for additional family funds or loans.
IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE FOR
Social Security Benefits
GRADUATE STUDY?
The increasing importance of graduate or
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
professional degrees has caused concern over the
program allows workers and eligible dependents to
availability of funds for such study. After a student
receive monthly cash benefits because of a period of
completes an undergraduate degree program, he or
disability. A student who has been employed may
she is no longer eligible for certain federal and state
file based on his or her own work record. If the
funds. Other programs may serve graduate students,
parents of a student with a disability have filed for
but only after all undergraduates have been served.
Social Security or if a parent is deceased, the
Because there is the expectation of employability
student may also qualify for dependents' benefits
after completion of a technical, community college,
based on the parent's work record. For further
or undergraduate degree program, state VR
information on the student provisions and eligibility
agencies may be reluctant to fund graduate studies.
requirements of the various Social Security
Nevertheless, there are sources of funding available
programs, contact your local Social Security
specifically for advanced degrees.
Administration office.
Talent Search, Educational Opportunity
Many students use the traditional routes of
Centers, and Special Services for Disadvantaged
institutional scholarships in their field of study,
Students
part-time or alternate-semester employment, loans,
savings, assistantships, and family contributions as
Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers
the primary routes to a graduate degree. The
are federally funded programs located at various
college's graduate program or academic department
sites across the country. Some are part of a
can provide information about funding.
postsecondary institution, and some have been
established as part of a private or public
ARE THERE OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES
organization. These programs were set up to
OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
provide counseling and other services to
disadvantaged students and students with
Supplemental Security Income
disabilities. One of the responsibilities of the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal
program is to help place students and sometimes
program that provides financial assistance to people
help them negotiate financial assistance with their
who are aged, blind, or disabled and who have little