Benefits for Other Groups/Populations
There are several financial assistance programs benefiting special groups:Veterans and Their Dependents
Federal educational benefits
The Montgomery GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve provide educational benefits for individuals entering military service or the reserves after June 30, 1985. Reservists who have enlisted for six or more years after July 1, 1985 may be eligible for the Selected Reserve Education Benefit.
VEAP is the post-Vietnam era Veterans Educational Assistance Program for those who entered the service after December 31, 1976 and contributed to the VEAP fund while on active duty or had contributions made for them by the military.
Service-disabled veterans may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Benefits may include education or training to qualify for employment, counseling, tutorial assistance, and medical services.
Educational benefits also are available to veterans' dependents if the veteran (spouse or parent) died in service, was totally disabled, or is listed as missing in action.
With the Veterans' Work-Study program, eligible veterans are paid for working at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. They earn the federal minimum wage, and their work-study earnings are nontaxable.
For more information, contact your college's office of veterans affairs, the local office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (in the phone book under U.S. Government Offices), or call toll free (800) 827-1000.
Disabled Students
Disabled students who meet the academic qualifications for a college should apply for admission and, if needed, financial aid. By law, a qualified student cannot be excluded from college solely because of a disability.
All public schools and colleges and many independent schools provide disabled student services. Benefits may include counseling, tutoring, readers, interpreters, note takers, special parking zones, and loan of special equipment. You may also request that a class be relocated to a more accessible place on campus.
Your student budget, as calculated by the college, should include all educational expenses necessary to accommodate your disability. Be sure to work with your financial aid office if you apply, so they understand your particular circumstances.
For more information, contact the school's disabled students' office or the national organizations serving your particular disability.
You may also want to request 1997 Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities, a publication produced by the HEATH Resource Center of the American Council of Education. Single copies are available for free. Call (800) 544-3284 or write to HEATH, One Dupont Circle, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036-1193.
For information on benefits for service-disabled veterans, call the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000.
Native Americans
Native American students who can prove membership in a federally recognized tribe may receive education grants from the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). (Some tribes offer scholarships as well.)
Athletes
Athletes considering a National Collegiate Athletic Association college should contact the NCAA for information on college recruiting rules and grade point average and testing requirements. Visit their website or write to the NCAA at 700 W. Washington Ave., PO Box 6222, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222, or call (317) 917-6222.
Non-Residents of Utah
Utah is one of 15 western states collaborating and promoting resource sharing through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Students from another state may attend school in Utah for reduced cost. Enrollment is required in one of the designated courses. For information contact the admissions office of the college or university you plan to attend.
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Get Creative with Your Options
The Military
Educational benefits and scholarships are available to those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. In some programs, enlistees receive an education first, and serve an equivalent amount of military time after graduation. Other programs allow you to accumulate money for an education while completing an initial enlistment period. Some scholarships pay full tuition and all instructional fees, and may include a living allowance. Loan repayment is also available to Army service personnel. For more information, contact your local Armed Forces recruiting office.
Working Your Way Through College
It may not be possible to earn all your own college costs, but a part-time or summer job can help reduce the amount you'll need to borrow. School employment offices can help you find a job on or off campus.
On some campuses, work-study or student assistant programs help students find career-related jobs.
Finishing College Sooner - AP Exams
High school students can take the College Board's Advanced Placement examinations and receive college credit for honors courses or independent study in foreign languages, English, history, science, mathematics, music, and art. Advanced college placement avoids repeating work and could save the cost of up to one year of study. See your high school counselor for details.
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