Information is everything! 

     Yes, education leads to higher wages, but it also offers individuals power.  There is a great divide in this country, and around the world, between those who have the information and those who do not, and it is all about access.  College gives you access to knowlege, personal power, and it gives you options.  You can make a life that you find satisfying.

     Even if your only goal right now is to get your GED, please browse through this page.   So many students do not go on to college because it is too confusing or too intimidating a process.  Knowing where to get help is half the battle.  There are grants, scholarships and financial aid that can help you pay for school even if you think you can't afford it.  There are free tutors available at pretty much every college.  Some colleges even have on-campus childcare.  Below are a number of different resources that can help you get the education you deserve.

FINANCIAL AID

Know How To Go - http://www.knowhow2go.org/

• Preparing for college resource- aimed at high school students, so you have to ignore all of the high school talk.

FAFSA - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Register each year to qualify for grants, loans etc.
• Must have tax information, Social Security Number, driver's licence, bank account statements, untaxed income records for the previous year such as Social Security, TANF, welfare, or veterans benefits. 
• In ceratain situations, you may not need to complete parts of the FAFSA, always call the financial aid office at the college with any questions.  For more information on special circumstances, go here.

PHEAA - http://www.pheaa.org/

• Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
• Pennsylvania specific grants, work-study, loans

You Can Deal With It - http://www.youcandealwithit.com/

• Help website for all student finance issues
• Explains types of aid, procedures for applying and how to manage loans

Student Aid on the Web - http://studentaid.ed.gov/

• Government site addressing types of aid

Fin Aid! - http://www.finaid.org/

• Comprehensive answers to financing college education

Fast Web- http://www.fastweb.com

• Search engine for scholarships 
• Students can enter information on themselves, and receive email updates with new scholarships tailored to their charateristics
• Many scholarships for:
• First generation college students, under-represented minorities, and students over 25
• Talents in the arts (visual arts, music, writing/poetry, etc.)
• Community service/activism