FINANCIAL AID RESOURCE FOR NAVAJO COLLEGE STUDENTS

Types of Financial Aid

Financial Aid comes in many forms:

Scholarships are awarded to students based on criteria outlined by the specific organization or group towards tuition, fees and other expenses, excluding living expenses. This money does not have to be paid back.

Grants are awarded to students based on demonstrated need or on other criteria outlined by the organization or group towards academic expenses which also includes living expenses.

Fellowships are usually awarded to graduate students based on academic merit. Most fellowships provide a stipend for living expenses in addition to funds for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Loans involve money that must be paid back with interest. There are a variety of loan programs available from your college and local banks.

The Military offers opprotunities to earn money for college while serving your country and community.

Other Types of Aid Federal and State Work-Study programs provide part-time employment at minimum wage, usually on-campus, during the academic year.

Assistantships as teaching assistants and research assistants are usually provided to graduate students which includes a tuition waiver and small stipend.

Off-Campus Employment at local businesses near the college is another way to earn extra money.

The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit may be claimed for tuition and other related expenses of each student in the taxpayer’s family who is enrolled at least half-time in one of the first two years of post secondary education and who is enrolled in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized education credential.

Disabled Students are assisted in pursuing vocational training and academic programs. Contact:

Navajo Nation Window Rock Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services at 520 871 6338/6993/7488;

Navajo Nation Crownpoint Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services at 505 786 7196;

Phoenix Indian Center.

Financial Aid is available for Older Students returning or starting college.

Americorps is a national service program that allows people of all ages to earn help paying for their education in exchange for a year of service (1-888-507-5962).

Federal Student Aid Applications:

Complete FAFSA Application

FAFSA Application

FastWeb Scholarship Search is one of the best on the WWW!

FinAid Scholarship Search is another excellent financial aid resource!

(Source of Information: Maricopa Community College's A Guide to Scholarship Information for American Indian Students.)

Beware of Financial Aid Scholarship Scams

Remember 1:

"When using the web to find funding information, beware of anything that seems too good to be true--it propbably is." Jeneen LaSee-Willemssen, KSU Libraries

Remember 2:

There are many FREE lists of available scholarships. Check your sources before deciding to pay for any scholarship services.

Do not give out your credit card or bank account number on the phone without getting information in writing first. It may be a hoax for an unauthorized withdrawal from your account.

Do not be fooled by an organization that says "We'll do all the work for you." There's no way around it. YOU must apply for scholarships or grants Yourself.

To find out how to spot, stop, and report a scholarship scam, contact the Federal Trade Commission or call 1.800.876.7060.

If you’ve been victimized by a scholarship scam, contact The Better Business Bureau or The Federal Trade Commission, or your state’s Attorney General’s Office.