Through Pell Grants, TRIO programs, new Direct Student Loans, and other programs, the Department helps millions of students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to get a college education. The Department also offers helpful publications. Preparing Your Child for College helps families to select courses their children should take in high school to prepare for college. Parents also learn how to calculate the cost of various college options. The Student Guide offers information about the Department's financial aid programs, as well as information about the new AmeriCorps national service program, which allows students to earn college tuition for community work.
Challenge grants help communities to turn their schools into information age learning centers.
Applications for grants must be developed by a consortium that includes at least one local educational agency with a high percentage or number of children living below the poverty line. Other members of the consortium can be state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, businesses, software designers, museums, libraries, or other appropriate organizations. The application must be submitted by a local educational agency. The first step is to submit a letter of intent to apply. The Star Schools Program is another effort that supports the work of telecommunications partnerships.