College & Career Center

www.collegeboard.com -conduct search on any 2 or 4 year college in US & more
www.collegequest.com -college search & on-line applications
www.collegeview.com -college search w/links to homepages, scholarship info
www.collegexpress.com -virtual tour of some colleges & athletic info
www.ed.gov/thinkcollege -Site w/links to other college-related websites
www.jayi.com -create a profile of yourself to send to colleges
www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/Search.asp -National Center for Educational Statistics
www.novakint.com/colleges -directory of college email addresses
www.petersons.com -college search, financial aid, on-line apps. test prep
www.review.com -The Princeton Review lists "Best 331 College" provides test info.
www.wiredscholar.com -Sallie Mae Company's page w/links to loans & testing info.

www.lanecc.edu/foundation/scholarshipopps.htm
www.collegeboard.org -all aspects of costs & financial aid, estimate family contribution
www.collegesmart.com -help making financial aid calculation/estimate
www.ed.gov/studentaid -everything you need to know about financial aid w/links
www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm -complete & file FAFSA on line
www.ftc.gov -scholarship scams & how to avoid them
www.osac.state.or.us -State financial aid agency for Oregon administering state, local & private scholarships. Links to State verified scholarship sites & searches

www.ahead.org/links2htm -learning disabilities resources
http://cnct.com/home/ijblack/BlackExcel.shtml -admission & FA info for black students
www.fie.com/molis/scholar.htm -search geared for minority students
www.hillwl.org/ -Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
www.hsf.net/ -Hispanic Scholarship Fund
www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content3/college.planning.LD.html -college planning for students with learning disabilities
www.lanecc.edu/library/don/found.htm -scholarships for LCC students listed by department, name, contact, amount & criteria
www.naia.org/ -National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
www.ncaa.org/ -National Collegiate Athletic Association
www.nmt.edu/~larranag/hef/hef.html -Hispanic Education Foundation

The federal government provides several tax incentives for college students and their parents. Here's an overview of the key tax breaks for pursuing post-secondary education.

College savings plans, also called Section 529 plans, are a tax-favored savings account. Similar to IRAs and other savings plans, 529 plans allow people to save for college expenses by funding a special type of account. The key benefits: earnings and growth of investments inside the account accumulate without being taxed, and withdrawals from 529 plans are tax-free as long as they are used for specified higher education expenses. If the funds aren't used for education-related expenses, the distributed funds will be subject to taxes and a 10% surtax. College savings plans are sponsored by state governments, although you are free to invest through any state's 529 plan. Some states offer incentives for investing their plan.

Deducting college tuition can be accomplished through the tuition and fees tax deduction. This deduction is taken directly on your tax return without needing to itemize. Students don't need to be enrolled half-time or full-time, so even taking one course can qualify you for this deduction. 2011 may be the last year for this deduction.

There are two tax credits for higher education. The American Opportunity credit provides a refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for undergraduate education. The American Opportunity Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. The Lifetime Learning Credit provides a tax credit of up to $2,000 for any level of college education (even graduate school), and doesn't require a minimum level of enrollment. However, the Lifetime Learning Credit has a narrower income range compared to the tuition deduction.

Deducting interest on student loans. Students often take out loans to pay for college expenses. Interest on student loans may be deductible up to $2,500 per year. Be aware that this deduction is gradually phased out as your income raises. This deduction may change after 2012 to provide that interest is deductible only for the first 60 months of repayment. Like the tuition deduction, the student loan interest deduction is taken directly on your tax return and doesn't need to be itemized.

No education-related tax deduction or credit is allowed for taxpayers who are married but filing separately. Separate filers are not eligible for the American Opportunity credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, the tuition and fees deduction, or the student loan interest deduction.

 Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, and typically take two to four years to complete. Competition for available slots is often fierce because apprentices pay nothing for their education, and are actually paid for the hours they spend learning on the job.  In addition, apprentices typically command relatively high salaries when they become journey workers.

Good resources to locate an open apprenticeship program include networking with people you know who work in an apprenticed trade, contacting Lane Community College Apprenticeship Training Program, checking the Oregon State Department of Apprenticeship & Training website,  calling trade union offices, and contacting related professional associations.  Some apprenticeship programs also advertise available openings in the newspaper, on job boards, or with state job services.

Successfully completing basic classes in English, math, and science is considered essential for all applicants to apprenticeship programs, and most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. In addition, taking special interest classes may help demonstrate an early aptitude, skills development, and improve your standing in the application process, as well.