Below are some suggested resources to help families plan for the financial challenge of attending college.

A Better Chance
A Better Chance is a national organization that aims to develop young leaders from communities of color. Find detailed information about college scholarship opportunities for African American, Asian America, Latino, and Native American students at http://www.abetterchance.org/abetterchance.aspx?pgID=952 or call Program Coordinator Prasant Nukalapati at (510) 763-0333.

California Student Aid Commission
The mission of the California Student Aid Commission is to make education beyond high school financially accessible to all Californians. Its Fund Your Future brochure and Student Financial Aid Workbook walk you through the financial aid process. Download these materials–in English or Spanish–from the web at http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=40 or call (888) 224-7268 for more information.

Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED)
Individual Development Account (IDA) Directory
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are matched savings accounts for low-income American families. If you save in an IDA, your money will be matched with donations–you will receive another dollar or more for every dollar you put into an IDA. You can contact the CFED for information by calling (202) 408-9788 or by using its online IDA Directory to find IDA opportunities in your state. Find the directory on the web at
http://www.cfed.org/focus.m?parentid=31&siteid=374&id=599
In addition, the CFED provides a four-page IDA factsheet–in English and Spanish–at
http://www.cfed.org/focus.m?parentid=31&siteid=374&id=374

Educators for Fair Consideration
The mission of Educators for Fair Consideration is to support low-income immigrant students in their pursuit of a college education in the United States. The organization provides college scholarships to low-income immigrant students living the Bay Area. Find out how to apply by contacting Director of Scholarship and Student Services Carrie Evans (carrie@e4fc.org or (415) 572-2016) or visiting the organization's website at http://www.e4fc.org/newamericancollegefund.html

Fastweb
Fastweb is a free online resource that allows you to conduct a quick search to find college scholarships for which you are qualified to apply. It provides detailed information such as the scholarship amount, the application deadline, and the application requirements. Visit Fastweb at http://www.fastweb.com

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Based in San Francisco, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is a national organization that offers college scholarships to Hispanic students. It publishes The Money Manual, which will aid you in planning to finance college. You can download English or Spanish versions from the web at http://www.hsf.net/resources/pubs.php or call (877) 473-4636 for more information.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
NASFAA is an association of more than 3,000 colleges, universities, career schools, and others with an interest in student financial aid. Its Parents & Students web page provides thorough financial aid guidance at http://www.nasfaa.org/redesign/ParentsStudents.html

The Education Resources Institute (TERI)
TERI promotes educational opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds by administering loans for students and sponsoring college access programs for students who are among the first in their families to go to college. TERI publishes Making College Affordable, a workbook on financial aid, loans, and scholarships. It is available–in English and Spanish–on the web at http://www.tericollegeaccess.org/misc/workbooks.html. TERI also offers an education hotline at (617) 536-0200.

U.S. News & World Report
A number of colleges now offer free tuition to students from low-income backgrounds. U.S. News & World Report publishes a list and description of the colleges that are currently making this commitment to students on its website at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060910/18free.htm