Financial Resources

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Detailed Guide to Completing the FAFSA
• U.S. Department of Education
• Federal Student Aid
• The Student Guide to Funding Education Beyond High School
• Scholarship Information
• Avoiding Scams in the Aid Process
• IRS Tax Forms

• Fund for Wisconsin Scholars (FFWS)
  • A private, not-for-profit foundation established in 2007 by a founding gift from John P. and Tashia F. Morgridge provides need-based grants to selected graduates of Wisconsin public high schools attending University of Wisconsin four-year colleges. The random selection to receive a Fund For Wisconsin Scholars, Inc. (FFWS) grant occurs at the University of Wisconsin System offices.  There is no application process for the FFWS grant.

• • This is a legitimate grant.  You will receive an email invitation from your financial aid office in late September or early October if you are randomly selected.  Since 2008, over $83 million dollars of grant aid has been gifted to Wisconsin students.

• • The amount of the grant is $4000.00/year at a comprehensive UW four-year university; the grant may be available for up to ten consecutive semesters of full-time, continuous enrollment. Each year half of the grant is awarded in the fall semester and a half in the spring semester.

• Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB)
• Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP)
• Look Forward Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
• Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• StudentLoans.gov

• National Student Loan Data System – Student Access

U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student aid (view loan and grant history).

• Federal Student Aid Information

Telephone: 1-800-433-7327

Contact for FAFSA application questions.

COD Applicant Services (Parent PLUS Loan Borrowers) Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday Telephone: 1-800- 557-7394

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-877-461-7010 Contact for credit appeal overrides, endorser application questions, and PLUS Loan borrower issues (NOT for address changes or loan status).

• Direct Loan Consolidation

Telephone: 1-800-557-7392

• Loan Repayment Plans

• Federal Student Aid Ombudsman

Telephone: 1-877-557-2575

• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

The federal tax code includes numerous tax incentives for families that are planning for or currently are paying for higher education. For those who are repaying student loans, you may be able to deduct the interest on qualified student loans.

The tax credits or education credits available to you help offset the costs of higher education by reducing the amount of your income tax. Credits include; Hope Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, and American Opportunity Credit.

For more information about tax benefits, please visit the Internal Revenue Service website at Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center.