BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID

The following are among the better sources of practical information about student aid. They are available from most public libraries and high school guidance offices

1. Need a Lift? - available from many American Legion Posts and for $1.00 from:

The American Legion
P.O. Box 1050
Indianapolis, IN 46206

2. Information about Federal student aid, including loans, is available from:

THE STUDENT GUIDE
Box 84
Washington, DC 20044

3. Computer search services for financial aid are available in some of Maryland's 24 local school systems; contact your high school guidance office to see if such a service is available.

4. College and university undergraduate catalogs usually have a section devoted to financial assistance programs offered by that specific institution.

5. Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) - Programs available to Nursing Students:

STATE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND LIVING EXPENSES GRANT

Provides scholarships to Maryland residents:

• enrolled full or part-time in a Maryland nursing degree program
• possessing a minimum 3.0 GPA
• agreeing to serve on a full-time basis in a nursing shortage area one year for each year award is received

Awards are given on the basis of merit in annual amounts up to $3,000; up to $4500 for students in an accelerated program

Demonstrated financial need may qualify recipient for an additional grant of up to $3,000

Application is made by filing an application form available from OSFA; and to be considered for a living expenses grant, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Deadline is March 1 for FAFSA and June 30 for OSFA application

PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Provides financial assistance to Maryland residents:

• enrolled as full-time students in medicine, dentistry, law, pharmacy, social work and undergraduate nursing at certain Maryland institutions
• demonstrating financial need

Scholarships range from $200 to $1,000 and are renewable for a total of four years.
Application is made by filing a FAFSA and a separate application available from OSFA. FAFSA can be filed online. 
Deadline is March 1^st for both.

For additional information, contact: 

Gerri Rogers Program Administrator
Office of Student Financial Assistance
839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400
Annapolis, Maryland 2140
(410) 260-4574, or 1-800-974-1024, ext.4574
Inquiry System: 410-260-5050
www.mhec.state.md.us

The following works are among those commonly available in the reference section of public libraries and school guidance offices:

Barron’s Handbook of American College Financial Aid

Barron’s Handbook of Junior and Community College Aid

The College Blue Book: Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants & Loans

Directory of Special Programs for Minority Group Members

Directory of Financial Aid for Women

7. The Financial Aid Form (FAF) provides institutions with basic information required for consideration for financial assistance, however, many institutions will ask for additional or confirming documents. The earlier the Financial Aid Form is filed, the greater the amount of time for finding assistance. The FAF should be mailed no later than February 15 for Office of Student Financial Assistance consideration, but many colleges require that the form be filed earlier.

8. Prospective students should plan to visit the campus of each school in which they are seriously interested and discuss with the school's financial aid office the assistance the school can be expected to provide. These visits should be made as early in the spring semester as practical, but after the Financial Aid Report has been received by the applicant from the College Scholarship Service. Be certain to know the closing date for financial aid applications for each school.

9. The following are local publishers of excellent information about financial aid and other free brochures:

10. The Cooperative Education Programs which are offered, vary from school to school; the school's financial aid office should be asked about what is available. A free description of undergraduate programs is available from:

National Commission on Co-op Education
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston. MA 02115

{# pagefooter(); #}