Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first and most important step for students to receive their portion of the billions of grant aid dollars disbursed in federal student financial aid; however, every year many low income and community college students fail to complete the FAFSA. Over the past twenty years,…

Creative ideas recently emerging to help families cope with rising educational costs are reviewed, including state and federal level savings plans, alternative loan programs, guaranteed access plans, and public service proposals. (Author/MSE)

Cutbacks and changes in federal commitment to student financial aid programs are outlined, and examples of alternatives to traditional sources for aid funds are discussed. Examples include institutional investment policies, state programs, community-based funding, a national tax-exempt funding vehicle, and educational savings plans. (MSE)

A survey of adult students in a community college and university continuing education division and parents of local high school juniors and seniors examined public opinion and understanding of five federal and two state aid programs. It showed that public knowledge of programs was largely limited to awareness of their existence. (MSE)