Federal Financial Aid Assistance and Resources for Persons with Disabilities
Sources of Student Financial Aid for Persons with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office has a variety of information resources available online for the blind and visually impaired. Details about these options are below.
Student Aid Guide
The U.S. Department of Education provides an audio overview of the Department’s federal student aid programs including:
- eligibility criteria
- application procedures
- loan repayment options
- deferment and cancellation provisions
The audio highlights also provide information on nonfederal sources of aid.
The audio highlights are also available in a CD format. The free CD can be played on any audio player. It contains information on federal student aid programs, application procedures, eligibility criteria, loan repayment and the like. To request a CD, call the Federal Student Information Center at 800-4-FED-AID.
Braille Publications
The following federal student aid publications are currently available online through the use of a screen reader. They are also available in Braille through the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll free at 800-4-FED-AID.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Students use the FAFSA to apply for the federal student aid programs administered by the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. The Braille FAFSA itself cannot be submitted. Students may use a Braille FAFSA as a reference aid. (Note that the online version of the FAFSA is accessible to screen readers.)
The Student Guide: This is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans and work-study are the three major forms of student financial aid available through the Department’s Federal Student Aid office. The guide tells you about the programs and how to apply for them.
Funding Your Education: This is an introductory publication for students not yet enrolled in a postsecondary school. It provides general information about the U.S. Department of Education’s federal student financial aid programs and how to apply for them.
Repaying Your Student Loans: This publication explains available repayment options on the department’s federal student loans so that borrowers can avoid repayment problems and successfully manage and repay their debts.
Federal TTY Numbers
Several major call centers have toll-free TTY numbers for deaf and hearing-impaired students. Teletypewriter access is available during the “operator-services” hours of operation. Students may contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-730-8913. The center provides general information on the federal student aid programs administered by the Department of Education and also assists students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students also may call 800-30-8913 for help applying electronically.