Q: What advice would you give to graduating high school students?
A: The first thing I'd say to graduating high school students would be congratulations and job well done. Graduating from high school is a time of great joy for students receiving their diploma. Years of hard work have paid off. It's also a fork in the road where students make choices about what directions their life will take. They may join the workforce, join the military, or continue their education in the classroom. Students wanting to take advantage of the opportunities to continue their education at a university, college or community college often worry about the financial burden that higher education brings, especially as the cost of tuition continues to rise. Student aid that is available through grants, scholarships, work study programs, and student loans can help ease some of the burden of the cost of higher education. I would also encourage students to apply to be an intern in my offices during their college career. Whether in Washington or one of my six offices in Iowa, it's an opportunity for students to learn in a hands-on way about their government.
Q: How should students apply for student aid?
A: Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is where students should start the search for federal aid. Visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to fill the FAFSA out online for free. A report will be sent, usually in 3-5 days, showing what types and how much federal student aid is available. The U.S. Department of Education has other helpful tips about student aid available at http://studentaid.ed.gov. The financial aid office at the college or university and the high school guidance office should help provide technical assistance in applying for student aid. The financial aid office at the college or university should also have information about any institutional aid and other sources of aid that may be available at that particular school.
Q: How should a student apply for an internship in your office?
A: Applications are available on my website, http://grassley.senate.gov. Click on Internships under the Info for Iowans tab. Students can come to Washington for a semester during the fall or spring. I also have two six-week sessions for students who want to intern during the summer. Many schools even give college credit for the internships. For more information, students can call my Washington office at 202-224-3744.
Q: My kids are still young. How should I plan for their higher education expenses?
A: The best time to start thinking about paying for college is early in the child's life. As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I helped ensure that parents have the option to save for the child's higher education through tax-free 529 plans. The funds placed into the 529 plan can be used tax free to cover qualified expenses like tuition, room and board, books and other fees. You may also deduct your 529 plan contributions from your Iowa state income taxes. There's no downside for families wanting to get a head start and make college more affordable for their kids. Currently, Iowa offers two 529 college savings plans, a traditional 529 plan called College Savings Iowa, and an advisor-sold tuition plan called Iowa Advisor 529 Plan. For more information on College Savings Iowa visit https://collegesavingsiowa.s.upromise.com. For more information on Iowa Advisor 529 Plan visit http://iowaadvisor529.uii.upromise.com.