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Things I Wish I Had Known About Funding My Education. Things I Wish I Had Known. You CAN receive Financial Aid, even if you are not a full-time student Financial Aid is available for Summer classes Outside funding sources are abundant Textbooks do not have to be so expensive IRA
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Things I Wish I Had Known • You CAN receive Financial Aid, even if you are not a full-time student • Financial Aid is available for Summer classes • Outside funding sources are abundant • Textbooks do not have to be so expensive • IRA • Educational expenses can be tax deductible
Financial Aid is available to part-time students • Complete your income taxes early and save a copy • Go to Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) website • Request a PIN • Complete a FAFSA online • Submit electronically using the PIN and print a copy • Wait patiently • Purdue may request supplemental information
Financial Aid for Summer classes too…. • Complete a simple supplemental form available through the financial aid office.
Outside Funding • By filing a FAFSA prior to March 1, you are automatically considered for need-based aid through Purdue • Other aid is available • Demographics • Activities • Academic achievement • more
Outside Funding • Finding funding sources • Span Plan website • Financial Aid website • Fastweb • You Student Services Office • News and media
How do I apply? • Most require a completed FAFSA • Financial information (refer back to tax forms and FAFSA) • Official transcript • Request through My Purdue • Recommendations • Personal essay
The Essay • Write one essay and modify • Pay attention to specific requirements • Boast with moderation • Explain goals for the future • Don’t forget to “give back” • Think about ALL of your added costs beyond tuition and books • PROOFREAD!
Buying Textbooks:What a scam! • Check Follett’s and University Bookstore websites early to determine the books you need • Buy elsewhere • Other students • Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Half.com • Search by author/title/ISBN • Reserve copies in libraries
Selling Books • Sometimes the bookstores will give you a fair buy-back price • Sometimes they won’t! • Sell to another student-you will gain and they will save • Set up a seller’s account on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Half.com
IRA 529 Plan • An IRA 529 Plan is established to fund a college education (typically for your children) • You can make the beneficiary YOU! • Consult a financial advisor
Tax Benefits • Sometimes college expenses can produce tax benefits through a Hope or Lifetime Learning credit • Consult a tax advisor
Important Websites for Funding Your Education • FAFSA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ • Span Plan: http://www.purdue.edu/odos/spanplan/services.htm • Financial Aid: http://www.purdue.edu/dfa/ • Fastweb: http://fastweb.com/ • My Purdue: https://mypurdue.purdue.edu/cp/home/loginf • Follett’s: http://www.efollett.com/ • University Bookstore: http://www.purdueu.com/ • Amazon: http://www.amazon.com • Half.com: http://www.half.com • Barnes & Noble: http://www.bn.com