The U.S. Department of Education reorganized much of its financial aid and college information on a new website, StudentAid.gov.
The free, online resource, which debuted on Friday, includes a section on college preparation with academic and financial checklists for students in elementary, middle, and high school. The site links to career exploration tools available through the U.S. Department of Labor. It also refers users to its College Navigator with information on cost, types of financial aid provided, admission requirements, enrollment, retention and graduation rates, and accreditation for college and universities across the country.
The website has extensive information on student aid — types of grants and loans, how to qualify, and how to manage loans. There are tips on how to avoid scams and report financial aid fraud. The department partnered with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to develop an interactive tool to help borrowers who have fallen behind in payments to understand repayment options and provide advice on negotiating with debt collectors.
The department also announced the information on federal student aid is available on Facebook, Twitter,and YouTube.