The effect is obvious. But only 7 percent of college students come from these families. Parents should not tell their children they cannot go to college just because they are poor, however. Low-income students who are ready for college CAN get financial support. The trick is to create a good plan to pay for college.
School counselors can help families sort out the details.
For low-income students, access to a variety of financial aid packages is very important. Five basic federal aid programs provide most support to low-income students. For example, colleges manage the last three federally funded programs mentioned above, but not all colleges participate in each program. Other government and private sources provide aid. Many offer support for ethnic minorities, for students who enter certain jobs, or for students attending particular colleges.