Students
The following information is for students. Please contact our office for assistance with any questions or problems you may have. Below are some resources that will be useful to kids.
- All Kids Resources
- Kindergarten—5th Grade
- 6th—12th Grade
- College
All Kids Resources
Elementary School
- Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: Kindergarten—2nd Grade
- Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: 3rd—5th Grade
- U.S. Census Bureau Fact Finder Kids Page
- CIA Kids Page (Kindergarten—5th Grade)
- EPA Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuff (Kindergarten—3rd Grade)
- EPA Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuff (4th—8th Grade)
- FBI Kids Page (Kindergarten—5th Grade)
- FEMA For Kids (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Gearing Up for a Great Trip (Federal Trade Commission
- Kids In the House: Young Learners
- Kids In the House: Grade School
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Kids Page (Kindergarten—6th Grade)
Middle School
- Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for kids: 6th—8th Grade
- CIA Kids Page (6th—12th Grade)
- EPA Drinking Water & Gound Water Kids’ Stuff (4th—8th Grade)
- FBI Youth (6th—12th Grade)
- Kids in the House: Middle School
- National Center for Education Statistics Kids’ Zone (part of the U.S. Dept. of Education)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Teens Page (6th—12th Grade)
- You Are Here—where kids learn to be smarter consumers (5th—8th Grade)
High School
- Ben’s Guide to U.S. Government for Kids: 9th—12th Grade
- CIA Kids Page (6th—12th Grade)
- EPA Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuff (9th—12th Grade)
- FBI Youth (6th—12th Grade)
- Kids In the House: High School
- National Center for Education Statistics Kids’ Zone (part of the U.S. Department of Education)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Teens Page (6th—12th Grade)
- Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, a nation-wide high school art competition is sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The winner of our district’s competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol along with other winners across the nation.
People of ages 14-23 can strive to receive a non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive award that recognizes initiative, achievement, and service in young individuals.
We encourage all Eighth Congressional District high school students to participate in the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition, where students design and present their application for mobile, tablet, or computer device on the platform of their choice.
Young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the military service and who are looking to build a career foundation at one of our esteemed service academies are encouraged to reach out to my District Office to learn more about the process. You can also visit my Nominations webpage
College
- Internship Opportunities An internship in my office provides a great opportunity for students to learn first-hand how our government works. Interns gain valuable knowledge and experience by having hands-on opportunity to learn about the legislative process, as well as the operations of a Congressional office. Please visit my internship page to learn more about opportunities in my Issaquah District Office and Washington, DC Office and for application materials.
Internships http://reichert.house.gov/serving-you/internships
The objective of our internship program is to engage young adults in the federal government. The program will allow interns a chance to learn about the legislative process and how Congressional offices are run. Interns are involved in a wide range of tasks. These can include putting together press clippings, researching issues, answering phones and more. In return, interns will learn a wide variety of issues important to our region and nation.
Internships are available in both our Washington, DC office and our Issaquah district office. Please download an application from the link below if you are interested in applying. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.
Washington, DC
In my Washington, DC office, internships run throughout the fall, spring or summer semesters for college students. Although all internships in all offices are unpaid, students gain invaluable work experience. The hours are flexible to accommodate students’ hectic course schedules, but generally run 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. when Congress is in session, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when not in session.
In Washington, interns’ responsibilities will vary. They will be asked to answer phones, run errands, research legislation for the Member and legislative staff, attend hearings and briefings and answer constituent letters on various issues before the House. As a result, interns learn about the legislative process and the many other functions of a congressional office.
Washington State
In my Washington office, interns may be asked to do a variety of things, including day-to-day office work such as answering phones, writing letters and assisting with media clips. In addition, interns may be assigned to assist in various constituent casework or work on District-based projects of importance.
If you would like more information on Congressional Internships—please contact my office.
Downloads
High school students who are interested in applying to a service academy for post-high school education can find more information about the requirements and application process here.
Information is available to students to learn more about the process of locating and applying for financial aid.
Financial Aid for Students
Guides students through the process of locating and applying for financial aid.
- The basics: getting started
- Paying for college
- States offer residents a variety of scholarships and loans
- Targeted aid for special groups
- Repaying your loans
- Additional information
The Basics: Getting Started
- Start gathering information early
- Free information is readily available from:
- High school counselors
- College and career school financial aid offices (where you plan to attend)
- Local and college libraries
- Federal student aid (U.S. Department of Education)
- Other internet sites (search terms student financial aid or student financial assistance)
- Ask questions: Counselors may know if you have exceptional circumstances that affect your eligibility
- Keep copies of all forms and correspondence: you must reapply for aid each year
- Parents of students: save money long before your child attends college
- FinAid: for parents
- College Savings Plan Network (state “Section 529” plans)
- Tax incentives for higher education expenses
- For Students:
- Beware of scholarship scams—do not pay for free information!
Paying for College
- Student Loans are the most common federal aid and must be repaid when you graduate or leave college
- Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Stafford Loans (FFELs and Direct Loans):
- Federal Family Education Loans (FEEL) from private lenders, such as banks and credit unions, guaranteed by the federal government.
- Federal PLUS Loans parental loans, not need-based. PLUS loans are available to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students.
- Perkins Loans: Only with participating schools, the Federal Perkins Loan Program is low-interest and provides money for college or career school for students with exceptional financial need.
- Scholarships/grants are mostly need-based and require no repayment:
- “Congressional” scholarships:
- Names for Member of Congress or other prominent individual (such as Byrd Honors Scholarships, Fulbright fellowships)
- Merit-based and highly competitive
- Members of Congress do not play a role in selecting recipients.
- Work Study programs allow you to earn money while in school:
- Federal Work Study Program: college campus jobs
- USA Jobs: Welcome Students and Recent Graduates: jobs with the federal government
- Scholarships or grants offered by private foundations, corporations, and organizations
- For questions not covered by the Department of Education Web site, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243
States offer residents a variety of scholarships and loans
- Check with your State Higher Education Agency and State guarantee Agency.
- Consider prepaid tuition and college savings (“Section 529”) plans: College Savings Plans Network.
- Search your Internet browser under terms such as student financial aid or assistance AND your state.
Targeted Aid for Special Groups
- Grants for Minorities: Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Latinos, Native Americans, and Other Ethnic Groups
- African Americans: For Students: Scholarships
- Disabled students: Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
- Foreign students: Financial Aid for International Students
- Hispanic Americans: Scholarships
- Law School students: Financing Law School
- Medical students: Association of American Medical Colleges
- Native Americans: American Indian College Fund
- Study Abroad (for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens): International Financial Aid
- Veterans: Education Benefits
Repaying your loans
After college, the federal government has ways to help you repay your loans.
- Eligibility depends upon the type of loan, when it was made, and whether it’s in default. Check with your loan officer to find out if you qualify.
- Loan Consolidation: combine your federal loans into a single loan with one monthly payment
- Teachers: Cancellation/Deferment Options
- Sometimes loans may be cancelled in exchange for public service
Volunteers who complete one year of service receive an education award for current higher education expenses or to repay student loans
- Learn about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
- Health professions:
- National Health Service Corps Scholarships and loan repayment for health profession students who agree to work in underserved areas.
- Indian Health Service Scholarships for American Indian/Alaska Native health profession students and loan repayment for persons working in HIS facilities
- Nursing Scholarships
Offered in exchange for two years of service in areas with critical nursing shortages
- Medical School Graduates: Loan Repayment Program
Use this database to find various scholarships and repayment or forgiveness programs filtered by state for medical and other health professions students.
- Law School Graduates: Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
Search for loan repayment and loan forgiveness programs as a graduated law student, and learn about alternative options that could help you pay off your loans.
- Federal Employees: Federal Student Loan Repayment Program
- Military Service: Military Academies:
- United States Air Force Academy
- United States Coast Guard Academy
- United States Merchant Marine Academy
- United States Military Academy
- United States Naval Academy
- Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for students who want to be commissioned as officers after graduating from college.
- You can also visit Military Tuition Assistance to see additional options.
Scholarships, grants, fellowships, internships, and cooperative education with federal agencies.
Additional Information
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Student Debt Repayment Assistance
- Use the Department of Education’s Repayment Estimator to get an overview of which plans you may be eligible for and see monthly estimates as well as an overall estimate.
- Find a loan repayment plan provided by the Department of Education
- If you are not sure who your loan servicer is, log in here to find out and begin the search for a repayment plan.
Find out what to do if you can’t afford your payments.