AmeriCorps is a national service initiative that engages individuals from all backgrounds in community service activities. In return for the successful completion of their service, participants receive money for school in the form of education awards that can be applied to outstanding student loans or used for future higher educational and vocational training pursuits. Full-time participants perform 1,700 hours of service to earn education awards of $4,725. Part-time participants perform 900 hours of service to earn education awards of $2,363. For more information, call 1-800-942-2677, or visit www.americorps.org Two federal income tax credits that offer dollar-for-dollar reductions in tax liability are available for higher education expenses.

The HOPE credit, worth up to $1,500 per student, is available to first- and second-year students enrolled at least half-time.

The Lifetime Learning credit is a tax credit equal to 20 percent of a family's tuition expenses, up to $5,000, for virtually any postsecondary education and training, including subsequent undergraduate years, graduate and professional schools, and even less than half-time study. For more information on the HOPE and Lifetime Learning Education Tax credits, and other tax benefits for postsecondary students, visit www.ed.gov/updates/97918tax.html or see the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 970. To get a copy of Publication 970, please call 1-800-829-3676. Students who wish to download the publication from the Internet can visit www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/forms_pubs/

This is a college savings program for students. Participants need not be New York State residents, although New York State taxpayers may deduct their contributions to the fund (up to $5,000 per year, from New York State net taxable income). Savings may be used to meet college costs at any eligible college in the U.S. and some foreign institutions. For information, call 1-877-NYSAVES or visit www.nysaves.org. New for New York State taxpayers! A refundable credit or an itemized deduction for qualifying undergraduate tuition expenses will phase in as follows: $10,000 in 2004 and thereafter. Consult your tax advisor. Some students may now deduct the interest paid on their qualified education loans when filing their federal income tax returns. The student loan interest deduction allows students or their families to take a tax deduction for interest paid during the first 60 months of repayment. The deduction is available even to students who do not itemize deductions. For more information on student loan interest deductions, please consult your tax advisor. A variety of educational assistance benefits are available to those who have served in the active military, naval or air service and their dependents.

For information on all veterans. benefits, and assistance in applying for them, students are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office, or the Office of the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000.

In addition to the various Federal and State programs, Touro College sponsors its own tuition grants and scholarships. These sources are designed to assist qualified students who have limited resources to attend college. Full-time employees who wish to attend classes at Touro College and take advantage of the Employee Benefits Tuition Remission policy must follow these procedures:

• Complete an Employee Benefits Tuition Remission form prior to the start of each academic year in which they are planning to attend school. Employees can pick up a form from the Bursar's Office at the site at which they work or take classes, but must submit it by mail or in person to the Executive Director of Financial Aid and Compliance.
• Apply for Pell and TAP and submit federal and state tax returns, along with documentation of all other sources of income.
• Complete registration.

Once the Financial Aid Office verifies eligibility, has the Pell and TAP awards in hand, and can verify registration, the tuition remission amount will be entered. Tuition Remission is extended to full-time faculty and staff, their spouses, and dependent children. Anyone in default of a student loan is excluded from receiving this benefit. Students taking undergraduate classes will receive up to 100% tuition remission. Students taking classes at the graduate or professional level will receive up to 25% tuition remission. International Student Grants are awarded by Touro College to international students based on class standing and full-time status (12-18 credits). Because the awards are not granted automatically, interested students are advised to consult with the Financial Aid Office or with the Office of the Bursar. The Mature Adult Awards were created to assist students age 55 and beyond, (prior to the start of the semester for which they are seeking the award) by covering any tuition and fees, including self-help balances, remaining after Pell, TAP, and Touro Grant. For academic year 2006-07, awards are capped at $2,500 per semester or $5,000 for the academic year. The Presidential Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership and community service potential, and to a lesser extent, on financial need.

Awards generally range between $500 and $2,000 per academic year.

All applicants to the college are automatically considered for this scholarship. No special application or form need be completed.

The Touro College Law School Fellowship is available annually to a NYSCAS graduate who meets the entrance requirements for admission to the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

Applicants for this one-year full-tuition fellowship should apply by letter to the NYSCAS Financial Aid Office at the same time that they apply for admissions to the Law School.

Touro Grants are awarded on the basis of financial need to matriculated students who are enrolled on a full-time basis (12-18 credits per semester) or part-time (6-11 credits) and are in good academic standing. Touro Grants are currently set at $800 for Summer and $2,000 per semester for Fall and Spring, making the maximum Touro Grant for academic year 2008-09 $4,800 for Summer, Fall, and Spring, and $4,000 for Fall and Spring only. Touro Grants do not cover additional tuition charges for students enrolled for more than 18 credits per semester. The Touro Merit Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement (3.4 GPA or better) and financial need. These scholarships generally range between $500 and $2,500 per academic year and can only be applied toward direct college fees. Tuition payment plans are available. Please direct all inquires to the Office of the Bursar. Many sources of financial aid are not offered directly by Touro College. For information on any of the programs listed below, please consult with the Financial Aid Office:

N.Y.S. Health Service Corps Scholarships

Officer of Vocational Rehabilitation Grant

No matter what the economic environment may be, some jobs are always in demand. Come meet with our counselors to help you build a career and discuss what NYSCAS can do for you!