| You’ve decided to increase your marketability by | | | | economic losses, according to NASFAA. |
| attending a career college. But, how will you finance | | | | There are a number of options available to finance |
| your career college education? While things may be | | | | your career college education. Certainly if you have |
| tight in today’s tough economy, the end result | | | | parents or family members who can help you with a |
| will be worth it. According to the Government Census | | | | loan or gift, that’s a great way to go. If not, |
| Bureau, career college graduates earn an average of | | | | you may be eligible for Federal Pell Grants, State Cal |
| $9230 more in their first year in the job market than | | | | Grants, Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), scholarships, |
| their high school graduate counterparts. | | | | Federal Stafford Student Loans, Federal PLUS Loans |
| It’s still scary, though, to figure out how | | | | or Private Lender Alternative Loans. Also, the specific |
| you’re going to pay for your education while | | | | career college you’ve chosen will probably have |
| making ends-meat. Fortunately, there are ways to | | | | financial aid options and counselors to walk you |
| fund your career college education without breaking | | | | through the process. Take a look at all your options |
| the bank. | | | | before making a decision. |
| In the fall of 2007, Congress passed the College Cost | | | | The U.S. Department of Education’s Web site |
| Reduction and Access Act, which set into motion a | | | | provides useful information about federal educational |
| series of policies designed to help students better | | | | grant options. The following are some other sites |
| afford college. Also, the new $790 billion economic | | | | that detail several other options for funding your |
| stimulus package signed into law in mid-February by | | | | career college education. |
| President Obama will give a further boost to college | | | | - csac.ca.gov |
| loans and grants. This infusion of additional funds will | | | | - GovernmentGrantAssistance.org |
| help more students enroll and stay in school, | | | | - fafsa.ed.gov |
| especially those from families who have suffered | | | | - ca.gov/Grants. |