The National Association of College Stores (NACS) has created several new resources for students and parents to increase awareness of the value of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit, part of the Recovery Act passed earlier this year, temporarily expands and replaces the Hope tax credit in a number of important ways.

Many families who are eligible for education tax incentives don't always take full advantage of them. The risk is higher for the new tax credit, because for the first time, part of the credit is refundable so lower income families that have no tax liability may still qualify for the credit and get a refund.

Middle class families who did not qualify under Hope due to income thresholds may now qualify. And, students on financial aid who may have most of their tuition and fees covered, but not their course materials, will now have a chance to apply these remaining academic out-of-pocket costs against the tax credit.

The new resources, which you can use to help educate your students and families about the credit, are available at http://www.nacs.org/public/textbookaid/. Some of the resources are available only to NACS members (check with your bookstore manager):

• Student-facing Web site about the tax credit
• Tri-fold brochure (print)
• Poster (downloadable or print)
• Banner ad for your Web site or Facebook page
• Refund receipt envelope (bookstore prints out an extra receipt at check out and places in envelope for student or mom and dad to save for their taxes)
• Facebook fan page

Posted 08/13/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.