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You never have to pay for help with your federal student aid, including your federal student loans. Here are a few helpful tips from the Federal Student Aid website for avoiding scams: 

• If you are asked for your credit card information while filling out the FAFSA online, you are not on the official government site. Remember, the FAFSA site address has .gov in it!
   
• Never give personal information over the phone or internet unless you made the contact. If you have questions about an offer of aid or about your student loan account, ask your college or contact the .
   
• If you notice unusual capitalization, improper grammar or incomplete sentences in a communication you receive, that’s likely a red flag.
   
• Don’t tell anyone your , even if that person is helping you fill out the FAFSA form. 
   
• Keep receipts and documents (for example, credit applications or offers, checks and bank statements) with personal information in a safe place, and shred them when you are finished with them.

To view the full list of scam prevention tips, visit the

Did you know that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides tax benefits for education? These tax benefits can be used to get back some of the money you spend on tuition or loan interest or to maximize your college savings.

Even if you don't normally file a tax return, you may qualify for higher education tax credits that can put money in your pocket.

• Avoid the Move Home - When you want to avoid your parents as roommates! This interactive workshop explores budgeting, scholarship searches and managing financial aid refunds.
   
• Budgeting in College - Get a head start in life! This interactive workshop explains how to build a budget, make spending decisions and avoid spending triggers.

To schedule a presentation contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.