[The following is a press release from Going2College.org]
Web site links students to college and financial aid resources in every state
The redesigned going2college.org Web site provides college and career planning tools to students and families throughout the country and features an improved look, better navigation and more information. Visitors just click on their state to learn where to get help in filling out a FAFSA, the types of federal and state scholarships and grants available, and which organizations and schools offer programs to help young students prepare for postsecondary education. Provided by the nation's student loan guaranty agencies, the site was developed in conjunction with Mapping Your Future and is a resource for students, families, guidance counselors, postsecondary institutions and community organizations.
In addition to general information about career planning resources, guidelines for students planning to attend college, and the federal and state financial aid available, the site provides details on:
- Career opportunities and educational requirements;
- College resource centers in the state;
- College information and financial aid awareness events;
- Strategies for saving for college; and
- Assistance for low-income, and first-generation college students through programs including Upward Bound, Talent Search, GEAR UP and Project Grad.
Going2college.org brings together the extensive postsecondary education resources offered at the local, state and national level in a central location. It is a site that is geared to students and families and to the guidance counselors and college access providers who assist them.
"The goal of the going2college.org redesign is to make it easier for students and families to find the information and resources they need," said Julie Kubisiak, Director of Student Loans of North Dakota and Chair of the Guaranty Agency Work Group that developed the site.
"Applying for college and financial aid is a daunting process and we want to make students aware of the financial and academic support offered in their state," said La Toya Sykes, Director of Outreach & Access Awareness at Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation and Vice Chair of the Work Group.
Going2college.org was developed as part of the College Access Initiative, which was included in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, and formalized one of the roles guaranty agencies play in promoting access to postsecondary education. Guaranty agencies are state and non-profit entities that, through their administration of the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, inform students and parents of educational and financial aid opportunities and administer loans to borrowers. As part of their public service mission, guaranty agencies provide an extensive range of services and programs that increase awareness of the importance of higher education, the opportunities available, and the financial support offered.
If you have a program or resource you believe should be included on going2college.org, please contact your state guaranty agency or the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs at 202-822-2106.
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The National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs (NCHELP) represents a nationwide network of guaranty agencies, secondary markets, lenders, loan servicers, collection agencies, schools and other organizations involved in the administration of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). NCHELP members promote student access and choice for post-secondary education and training. Over the past 40 years, NCHELP members have provided more than $600 billion in student loans. More information is available at www.nchelp.org.
Mapping Your Future, based in Round Rock, Texas, is a national collaborative, public-service project of the financial aid industry - bringing together the expertise of the industry to provide services online. During the last 10 years, MYF has received a number of awards, including recognition for its excellence in content and innovation in technology services. MYF provides step-by-step instructions on college planning, financial aid, and career selection. In addition, the site offers Online Student Loan Counseling, financial literacy information and tools, chat events on college planning topics, and online customer service for schools and their students.
Posted 05/14/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.
