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(EMAILWIRE.COM, December 07, 2009 ) Fort Lauderdale, FL With the push towards improving the education climate in the United States, Pres. Obama has made stimulus funding available to more people than ever before. Financial aid is not just relegated to high school aged graduates. Single parents, displaced workers, career changers, and nontraditional students are eligible for free financial aid in the form of specialty grants, student work study, and Stafford or Plus loans. This increased financial aid has brick and mortar two-year and four-year universities groaning at the seams with enrollment figures. figures. The available educational funds combined with fully maximized university enrollments makes online education an attractive option for many.
ItÂ’s very simple for prospective students to qualify for financial aid. Federal financial aid can be used for all accredited distance learning degree programs. All students must either go online to fafsa.gov or to the prospective universityÂ’s financial aid office to pick up a Free Application For Student Aid form. There is approximately $200 million set aside by the federal government for Pell grants. These are especially helpful for students from low income families. Over originally in the amount of student could qualify for was $4730. It has now been increased to almost $5500.
ThereÂ’s also another $200 million of the stimulus funding set-aside for the student work study program. The work study program allows students to work from 16 to 20 hours a week often in a field closely related to the students major. The work study program is an attractive option to students pursuing an online degree. Quite often students can work as virtual assistants to an instructor from their prospective college. If the online work-study option is not available, many students can finds part-time employment sponsored by community businesses willing to participate in the federal study outreach program sponsored by their university.
Accredited distance learning programs are eligible not only for Federal financial aid, but for several tax credit breaks as well. Prior to 2009, the maximum that financial aid recipients could claim for the Hope tax credit was $1800. It has now been increased to $2500; covering tuition and fees. Instead of two years, the Hope tax credit can be claimed for four years. For a family with more than one family member attending college full-time, the tax credit could put much-needed money back into the family budget.
Sheila Danzig, Director of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com/ the premier Internet Portal of on line studies, isn’t surprised with the increase in financial aid during these rough times. Though many jobs have been lost with the recession, Ms. Danzig insists that people will need a college degree more than ever before. Healthcare occupations, information technology programs, and “green” environmental jobs require more training for people than a traditional vocational certificate.
Though there has been trouble in the banking industry, people who choose to back-to-school will find that funding their education is easier than itÂ’s ever been. Whether it is a traditional two-year, four year, or post-graduate degree, it is a safe bet that there is enough money to cover it all.
Danzig has also made review copies of her book, THE BIG BOOK OF COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION available FREE online at http://www.degree.com/free-downloads.htm
This is a limited time offer so please download it today.
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