Youth Central Page

Services for Nevadans

Youth Central Page

Madison Sandoval-Lunn speaks about the challenges facing foster children in Nevada and around the country, including her own personal story as a foster child.

Keeping the Door to College Open

As a college degree becomes more important for success, increasing costs have put higher education out of reach for too many Nevadans, and strained the budgets of students and their families. Making college more affordable and accessible for Nevada's students has been one my top legislative priorities.

I was pleased that the Recovery Act helped low- and moderate-income Nevada students better afford college by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $4,850 to $5,350 for the 2009-10 school year. To help families with the cost of college, the bill also created the American Opportunity Credit, a $2,500 partially-refundable tax credit for tuition, fees, or textbooks.

And, most recently, I helped lead passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, which included a major reform of the federal student loan program. The savings generated by changes in the student loan program were invested in increasing the maximum Pell Grant to $5,550 for the current school year, and to $5,975 by 2017. It also ensures that the Pell Grant will keep pace with the rising cost of college, with annual increases linked to the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, starting in 2014, college graduates in Nevada will be able to cap their loan payments at 10% of their net income, and have their student loans forgiven after 20 years of making payments.

As students begin the process of choosing a college or other postsecondary school option, an area of study, and payment options, they quickly learn that finding the most basic information on these topics can be challenging. I put together this resource guide – The Path to College – to help Nevada students that are interested in pursuing higher education. I have also developed a brochure with more information on federal student loans and the various repayment options.

Click here to download "The Path to College" resource guide (pdf).
Click here to download the guide in Spanish (pdf).
Click here to download the "Frequently Asked Questions on Federal Student Loans" brochure (pdf).

For more information on all federal student aid programs, visit StudentAid.gov.
If you are having trouble with your student loans, visit the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau web page.
To help manage your Federal student loan, visit StudentLoans.gov.
For information on and to compare college costs, visit the College Affordability and Transparency Center web page.

Learn about Federal Grants, Loans, Scholarships, and the GI Bill

Federal Resources

Student Aid: U.S. Department of Education provides information on applying for Grants, Campus Based Aid and Student Loans. Click here to find out more.
FAFSA: To determine your eligibility for Federal loans to help pay for college, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Click here to get started.
Repaying Your Student Loans: The U.S. Department of Education also provides information on how best to repay your student loans.
United States Senate Youth Program: Has a one-stop-shop website for teachers, principals and high school students to learn how to apply for a prestigious educational program and for the $5,000 undergraduate college scholarship given to each student delegate.
GI Bill: Information is available from the Department of Veterans Affairs website and through several fact sheets.

Nevada Resources

Millennium Scholarship: Learn how to qualify and how to maintain your scholarship by going here and clicking on the Millennium Scholarship.

Nevada’s Universities and Colleges

Get information on Nevada’s 8 colleges and universities by visiting their web pages:

Finding a Job

Want a good job but don’t want to spend four years or more in college? These resources can help:

Career Colleges and Technical Schools: Get information on technical schools that teach a specific trade or career. Click here for details.
Studentjobs.gov: Information on employment opportunities for students within the federal government, whether in high school, college or graduate school. Click here for details.

Serving Your Country and Community

Learn about opportunities available through the Armed and Volunteer Services:

Get Involved

Find out how to change your community and change the world:

Register to Vote
The 2012 election could make history, but only if you participate. Find out how to register to vote and become involved in your community by clicking here. *Note: for Nevada residents only

Youth Leadership and Service Organizations
Learn about volunteer opportunities available through one of Nevada’s many non-profit organizations

Sound Off
Tell me what you think by sending me an email.
*Note: I can only respond to Nevadans or those with ties to Nevada

Services for Young Nevadans

Page Program
If you would like to apply for the Senate Page Program, you may submit your information by filling out the online page application form.

Internships
If you would like to be considered for an internship in one of my offices, you may submit your information by visiting the internship section of our website. Our internship section of our website also provides information and links to other internship opportunities in Washington DC.

Academy Nominations
I take great pride in the opportunity to nominate young men and women as candidates to the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and West Point. If you are interested in making a career as an officer in our armed services, click here for more information.

Kids Link

Fun links to learning sites for kids

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