Helpful Resources

General Financial Aid Information

FinAid Very comprehensive source; includes calculators and scholarship search through FastWeb.
College Board Also very comprehensive guide to financial aid information.
Peterson's Financial aid information, scholarship searches, and more.
Financial Aid Facts More information for you.
Consolidation For information about consolidating your federal student loans.
Tax Deductions
National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Information and resources for students and parents

Direct Loans Entrance and Exit Counseling Sessions The federal government requires all new borrowers to complete entrance counseling and a promissory note before loan funds can be credited to students' accounts. For the entrance counseling session, students will be instructed to read the information and take a short quiz. The Office of Financial Aid will be notified when the counseling session has been completed.
Direct Loan Master Promissory Notes
Free Application for Federal Student Aid File your FAFSA here on or after October 1 of each year for the upcoming academic year.
Winthrop Veterans Benefits Information on VA Educational Benefits.
Federal Veterans Affairs Information on VA Educational Benefits.

SC Commission on Higher Education: Student Services SC residents can review the guidelines for LIFE Scholarships, Palmetto Fellows, and Need-Based Grants.
SC Student Loan Corp.: Teacher Loan Information on the SC Teacher Loan Program, eligibility, and benefits.

Scholarships.com Another scholarship search website.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Information from the Gates Millennium Scholarship program for minority students.
Hispanic College Fund, Inc. Scholarships for Hispanic students.
College Net Scholarship search website.
College Tool Kit Scholarship search website and more.

Note: Beware of any scholarship search offer which requires you to pay a fee.

Learn how to determine if scholarship search offers are questionable. Go to the Federal Trade Commission website for more information.

Private Loans
PLUS Loan Parent Loan: Federal Direct PLUS Loan information, including pre-screening and repayment examples.

SC Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan: This plan is sponsored by the State of South Carolina and administered by South Carolina State Treasure Curtis Loftis’ Office. Future Scholar is designed to help families jump-start saving for college while enjoying federal and state tax benefits.
South Carolina Tuition Prepayment Program
Non-South Carolina 529 College Savings Plans
Information about 529 Plans