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Resources Available for Blind and Visually Impaired Students

Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, has a variety of resources available to help blind and visually impaired students fund their education beyond high school.

  • Funding Your Education: Audio Highlights

    This audio release introduces students to resources such as Web sites and both Braille and print publications that will help them make informed decisions that are right for them in choosing a career and a school (such as talking to a counselor or teacher for advice). It will also show them what to look for—and look out for—in financing their education, and much more.

    Audio Highlights also provides information on nonfederal sources of aid. Students can listen to Audio Highlights online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/audio.

    Audio Highlights also is available on compact disc. For more information, students can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) toll-free at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).


The following Federal Student Aid print publications are available in Braille and may be ordered by calling the FSAIC.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM) and FAFSA on the WebSM Worksheet

    Students use the FAFSA to apply for the Department's federal student aid programs. Although the Braille FAFSA cannot be submitted, students may use it as a guide when they apply on paper, or they can use the Braille FAFSA on the Web Worksheet as a guide when they apply online at www.fafsa.gov.

  • College Preparation Checklist

    This publication explains how to prepare academically and financially for college through “to do” lists aimed at elementary and secondary school students and their parents, as well as adult students. This is the primary publication for any student considering college. This publication is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/collprep.

  • Funding Your Education: The Guide to Federal Student Aid

    This publication helps students understand the financial aid process and directs them to resources on the comprehensive website: www.studentaid.ed.gov. This publication is for high school students, college students, parents, and adult learners looking for federal student aid for their postsecondary education. It also includes sources of non-federal aid. This publication is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide.

  • Do You Need Money for College? Federal Student Aid at a Glance

    This fact sheet provides a quick glimpse outlining the federal student aid programs, eligibility criteria, and application tips. This fact sheet is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs.

  • Your Federal Student Loans: Learn the Basics and Manage Your Debt

    This publication covers information students should consider before borrowing money to pay for their education: what types of federal student loans are available, how much to borrow, tips on repaying loans successfully, the difference between private and federal student loans, the consequences of default, and other helpful hints on how to manage debt. This publication is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/repayingpub.

  • Direct Loan Basics for Students and Direct Loan Basics for Parents

    These publications, one targeted to student loan borrowers and the other directed to their parents, cover the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. They explain how Direct Loans help pay for college or career school expenses, the kinds of Direct Loans available, the eligibility requirements for borrowing, how to apply, and much more. For more information, visit the Direct Loan website at www.direct.ed.gov.

  • My Future, My Way: First Steps Toward College—A Workbook for Students in Middle and Junior High Schools

    This workbook provides information to middle and junior high school students about how to go to college and how to pay for it. It includes charts, checklists, and other activities to engage students as they gain more information about college preparation and costs. This publication is available online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/early.

  • Federal Student Aid for Adult Students

    This publication reassures adult students that they can receive federal student aid regardless of age or credit rating. It provides information about how to apply. Information will be available soon at www.studentaid.ed.gov.



Last updated/reviewed April 19, 2012

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