Funding Options for College Definitions Going to college or a technical school can be a necessary step to securing certain jobs. One important consideration is how to pay for higher education. While costs associated with postsecondary education can be high, there are several options for paying for college including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. You could also work with your local Vocational Rehabilitation office to explore financial support. A great place to start is to complete a form called Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines the federal financial aid for which you qualify. More information can be found here: Everything You Need to Know About the FAFSA – Big Future (collegeboard.org) .
Guiding Questions Have you spoken to your family about financial aid for higher education? Have you spoken to a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor about funding for higher education? Are you familiar with scholarships for individuals who are blind or have low vision? Are you eligible to apply for federal student aid? When should you complete the FAFSA? Will you need to apply for financial aid every year? What information will you report on the FAFSA? What is a Student Aid Report (SAR)? What factors go into how much money you will get? What is Expected Family Contribution (EFC)? What is a good approach to accepting the money you are offered? Resources Guide To Paying for College for Students with Disabilities | AffordableCollegesOnline.org This website outlines various types of federal aid, eligibility requirements, and an FAQ for students with disabilities.
Paying for College and Completing the FAFSA As a Student Who is Blind or Low Vision - ConnectCenter (aphconnectcenter.org) This resource provides a few resources as well as important questions to consider when applying for federal aid.
Financial Aid Charts - Transition Tennessee (transitiontn.org) This comprehensive chart covers TN-specific funding sources offered by the state government, federal government, and other entities. Please note while the row headers are not set up, navigation with a screen reader is possible.
Paying for College 101 - Transition Tennessee (transitiontn.org) For those who prefer information in an audio format, this webcast features Felicia Orr, the Director of College Access for TN Higher Education Commission, explaining the basics of funding for college.
Scholarship Program | National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee (nfbtn.org) The National Federation of the Blind offers thirty scholarships annually to blind students from across the United States. This resource provides information about this as well as Tennessee-specific scholarships.
Scholarships | American Foundation for the Blind (afb.org) The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), in collaboration with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), offers annual financial assistance to students who are blind or have low vision. Numerous scholarships are available for college and graduate students with legal blindness attending post-secondary institutions.