But Not Too Hot To Handle

Do you need efficient, thorough assistance in your search for government and private financial aid? It's only a free phone call away.

The toll-free hotline of the Federal Student Information Center for Financial Aid offers information on any of the programs administered by the Department of Education: Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, National Direct Student Loans, and College Work-Study.

The hotline offers help at every stage throughout the BEOG application process and may even mediate disputes between schools and BEOG recipients.

Plus, it can put you on the right track to your home state's programs and supply you with names of banks in your area that are authorized lenders under the Guaranteed Student Loan Program.

Hotline staffers may also be able to refer special-interest groups--minorities, women, older students, the handicapped--to private organizations for special aid.

Call 1-800-638-6700 nationwide or 1-800-492-6602 in Maryland.