New York State Assemblyman James Conte reminds students and parents of available financial aid for those wishing to apply for additional education after high school.

"There are many sources of financial aid assistance available to help cover the costs of a college education," said Conte. "As a father of three, ranker on the New York State Assembly's Education Committee and member of the Assembly's Higher Education Committee, I'm dedicated to providing a quality education at an affordable price. The ability of one to continue with higher educational goals should never be predicated on the affordability of that education."

"Unfortunately, the very process of picking and applying to a college or higher educational facility can be a daunting task. There are grants, college assistance, repayable loans, non-repayable loans, one-time loans, multi-year loans, tuition assistance programs, loans with income requirements - the list goes on and on, creating an atmosphere of mass confusion. Sadly, most college-bound students and their families are unaware of all the kinds of college assistance that are available, or are so confused by the various requirements that the question of education becomes an issue of affordability," the lawmaker explained.

To make it easier for New York families, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) have teamed up to create the College Financial Aid Awareness Network. Its purpose is to provide statewide support to students and families and explain how to apply and how to pay for college. Whether it's grants, loans, savings or just guidance, HESC is there to help and direct you to proper funding sources.

For instance: The federal government provides financial aid in the way of federal Pell Grants, Work-Study, Perkins Loans, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and the federal loan programs, including the Stafford (a student loan) and PLUS (a parents loan). New York provides a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), as well as several scholarships and other special awards. Colleges also provide some financial aid consisting of institutional grants, scholarships, work programs, and loans.

"Information and applications can also be accessed at either the NYSFAAA website at www.nysfaaa.org, which will also conduct an "Ask the Expert" online campaign through February 27, or the HESC website at www.hesc.org. Materials available include lists of statewide activities and regional representatives for NYSFAAA, a "How to Apply" fact sheet, a 2004-05 Student Financial Aid wall chart, etc. If you have any additional questions, please contact my District Office at: (631) 271-8025.

"I urge all New Yorkers to take advantage of these services. Let's make New York's College Aid Awareness Network 2003 a success.