College and Arthritis.

Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004

Paying for college

Vocational rehabilitation assistance

Your state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency is an excellent source of information about financial aid and other kinds of help for students with disabilities. The help VR offers may include:

• Tuition expenses: Your VR counselor can direct you to sources of financial aid, including federal and state programs. If these do not cover your expenses and you meet VR's eligibility requirements, the agency may also be able to provide tuition assistance to make up the difference. In many cases, your VR counselor will work with financial aid administrators at post secondary schools to provide support.
• Medical services
• Transportation and other assistive devices
• Personal assistance services to promote independent living

To qualify for VR assistance, you must meet certain requirements. It is important to get in touch with VR as early as possible, because the agency will not pay for anything it has not specifically authorized. In addition, VR rarely pays for graduate education or an out-of-state college.

Federal student financial aid

United States Government student aid programs can help you pay for most kinds of education after high school--whether you plan on attending a professional school, a vocational or technical school, or college.

Some federal aid is in the form of grants that do not have to be repaid. Other aid, in the form of loans, does have to be repaid.

Federal loans are handled through private lenders such as banks. However, a new direct lending program is being phased in that will allow you to apply for federal loans directly through the university's financial aid office.

The financial aid office in the college you select can give you information about these and other aid programs.

To qualify for federal aid, you must have financial need and be working toward a degree or certificate in a participating school. Financial need is defined as the difference between the cost of education and the expected family contribution to that cost. Some aid is only for undergraduate education--studies that lead to a bachelor's degree. Other aid includes graduate education--studies that lead to a master's degree or doctorate. The following kinds of aid are available.

Federal Pell Grants

Need-based awards for undergraduate education. They do not have to be repaid.

Federal Stafford Loans

Stafford Loans are low-interest loans made to undergraduate and graduate students attending school at least half time. These loans are made regardless of financial need, but you may have to repay them sooner if you do not have financial need.

Federal PLUS Loans

PLUS loans are made to parents with good credit histories to help them pay for their dependent child's education.

Federal Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS)

SLS loans are made to independent undergraduate or graduate or professional students who are enrolled at least half time.

Federal Perkins Loans

Perkins Loans are low-interest loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOGs are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need and do not have to be repaid.

Federal work study

The work-study program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who need financial aid. You will earn at least the federal minimum wage and may work on or off campus. Community service is encouraged.

To apply for aid under any of these programs, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is available from your school, or on the web. Apply as early as possible.

Two important notes: You must reapply for federal aid every year. If you change schools, your aid does not necessarily follow you. Check with your new school on what steps to take.

AmeriCorps

You can earn education benefits in exchange for grass-roots community work through the AmeriCorps program created by the National and Community Service Trust Act. You must be 17 or older and a high school graduate (or agree to earn a General Education Diploma). You can work full or part time. You will earn a salary and receive health insurance if you don't already have it. In addition, you will receive a lump sum of money be used as a scholarship or to pay back student loans. Special funds have been set aside to help individuals with disabilities take part in AmeriCorps programs. Contact the Corporation for National and Community Service, 1100 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.20525

State financial aid

State governments offer several kinds of financial aid for post secondary education to state residents. Most states offer the following:

• Student Incentive Grants
• Robert C. Bird Honors Scholarships for students of outstanding academic achievement
• National Science Scholars Programs (NSSP) to students excelling in math and the sciences
• Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Programs for students who want to become teachers

Individual states offer a variety of other grants, loans, and scholarships to students who qualify. For information, contact your state Department of Education or Student Finance Commission.

Private financial aid

Not many scholarships are awarded on the basis of a student's disability. However, if you are a good student, there are many other avenues for financial aid. Start early--your junior year in high school is not too soon--and be resourceful. It takes research and effort, but it could be well worth it. Check out:

• college financial aid offices
• the reference section of your local public library
• religious organizations, business groups, charitable foundations, and fraternal, community, professional, and civic organizations
• the Electronic Industries Foundation for scholarships to students with disabilities who are pursuing technical and science degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level
• your parents' employers or trade union

Social security

If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you need to consider how your financial aid or income from work could affect them. SSI is a monthly payment made to people with disabilities if their income and resources are below a certain level.

In most states, children who receive SSI benefits are automatically eligible for Medicaid. Therefore, additional income could potentially lower or threaten your SSI and Medicaid benefits. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration's work incentive and Plan for Achieving Self-Support programs offer a way for you to accept financial aid, or work, without losing your SSI or Medicaid benefits. In addition, your parents' income and resources will not be counted when Social Security figures out your SSI benefits after you turn 18.

If you are a student, most scholarships or grants used to pay for tuition, books, and other expenses related to getting an education may not be counted as income if you go to school or are in a training program. In addition, a certain amount of the earnings of students under age 22 may not be counted as income.

If you are working, benefits under the work incentive program include the following:

• You may continue to receive SSI payments until your income exceeds the SSI limits.
• Medicaid will usually continue even if you earn more than the SSI limits, if you cannot afford similar medical care and depend on Medicaid in order to work.
• Certain work expenses related to your disability may be subtracted when your income is calculated for SSI purposes. For example, if you need a wheelchair, modifications to a car, or attendant care services in order to work, the payments you make would be considered work expenses and this amount would not be counted as income.

The PASS program

Social Security's Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program allows a person with a disability to set aside income or resources for a definite period of time to reach a work goal.

For example, for up to four years you could set aside money for an education, vocational training, or starting a business. This money would not be counted as part of your income or resources and would therefore not reduce your SSI payment. PASS could also pay for personal assistance services or a computer. Your PASS must be in writing and must contain specific goals and information. It must be approved by the Social Security Administration.

For more information about SSI, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

Credits

Some of this material may also be available in an Arthritis Foundation brochure. Contact the Washington/Alaska Chapter Helpline: (800) 542-0295. If dialing from outside of WA and AK, contact the National Helpline: (800) 283-7800.

This material is protected by copyright.

Disclaimer

This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

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