Get an early start on the financial aid process by using FAFSA4caster, a service from the Federal Student Aid office. Learn  the basics for filling our your FAFSA, get an early estimate of your eligibility, and save your information until you're ready to apply.

The Nation's Report Card recently released the results of the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Minnesota 8th graders ranked second in the nation for academic achievement in math.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities offers hundreds of online degrees. Visit Minnesota Online to find the degree that's right for you.

Curious about the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) at your child's school? MDE offers school report cards, a comprehensive look at individual schools in an easy to read format for parents and taxpayers.

Interested in a new career? MnSCU will offer an energy technical specialist degree at nine colleges this fall. It's believed to be the first of its kind in the country!

Need help making your federal student loan payments more manageable? IBR Info has all the information you need about new federal student loan repayment and forgiveness programs.

Does your child attend a charter school? Read about the new regulations passed during the 2009 legislative session.

Try an online practice test using LearningExpress Library, available from the Library's website 24/7.

The MN Dept. of Education is working closely with the MN Dept. of Health in response to Swine Flu. Read State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield's memo to school district officials addressing prevention and response measures.

The Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota  promotes opportunities for adults to become mentors to youth throughout the state. Join them at a public celebration, Wired for 2020 on Saturday, April 18.

Looking for the perfect educational travel adventure? Elderhostel has hundreds of programs for under $600.00.

The US Dept of Education has a helpful factsheet that summarizes the education reforms and funding goals that are contained in this monumental legislation.

Heres to late bloomers! So you weren't a child prodigy. It turns out that passion, persistence and experience can sometimes trump a high IQ when it comes to complex abilities that take years to develop. Find out more about life & learning from:  Confessions of a Late Bloomer.

Three recent reports analyze the cost-effectiveness of Minnesota's Q Comp program, a voluntary program that links teacher pay to student achievement and test scores.

The Wall Street Journal reports a growing trend in which parents pay to pad their child's resume by buying unpaid internships for their offspring. Whether they are purchased through charity auctions or for-profit operators,  the fairness of this practise is debatable.

Try an online practice test using LearningExpressLibrary, available from the Library's website 24/7.

Information fairs for the Minneapolis and St. Paul School Districts are coming up soon. Find expert advice on what to look for when choosing your child's school.

Applying for financial aid? FAFSA on the Web is the place to start for help getting organized, printing and completing forms and submitting your application for the 2009-2010 school year. Libraries no longer distribute the paper forms.

Are you suffering from writer's block as you try to answer the essay questions on a college application?  For inspiration and assistance try the book:  Writing a Successful College Essay, or read the top ten admissions essay tips at the Peterson's Website.

Learn by doing. Find internship opportunities at The Riley Guide website or The Nonprofit Job Board. The practical experience you gain from an internship will improve your resume and may lead to a satisfying career. 

The Minnesota Department of Education requests public comments on the draft revision of the K-12 Academic Standards in Science. Visit the Science Standards page to find the draft revisions, FAQs, town hall meetings, and  an online comment form.

Looking for a green college? The Sierra Club lists ten schools considered national leaders in environment-friendly initiatives and activism. 

The Office of Higher Education has funding available for 5,800 Minnesota college students. The Achieve Scholarship Program lists all the requirements and includes an online application. 

Middle school students can ask questions and begin planning for college using a new service called "I Make It Happen." Students can explore information, win free gifts and talk to a school counselor.

SchoolDataDirect is the place for educators, researchers, and policymakers to access school performance and spending data for any state.

The U.S. Senate Youth Program allows selected students to experience the federal government in action. The Minnesota Dept of Education will accept applications until Oct. 15, 2008.

Doing What Works is a new project from the US Dept of Education to help boost the achievement levels of all kids, especially girls, in math and science.

Whether writing for school or text messaging friends, teens believe good writing is an essential skill for success. A new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project examines the state of formal and informal writing among teens.

Wondering how your kids are doing in school? Read how many metro area schools are helping parents track grades, assignments, lunch money and much more.

There's still time to register for many great summer Elderhostel programs. Find a complete list of Last Chance Educational Tours and register today!

Sunshine Week is devoted to freedom of information and open government. The Minnesota Department of Education is a great place for citizens to access free information about education in Minnesota.

All the ACT and SAT study guides checked out of the library? Try an online practice test using LearningExpressLibrary, available from the Library's website 24/7.

Did you know that you can attend high school online? Learn more about the Minnesota Virtual High School, a fully accredited program.

The Minnesota Department of Education and its partners host MNParentsKnow.info, offering parents a convenient source for trusted information on their child's health, learning, and development.

Looking for a paper copy of the FAFSA form? Order a free copy from ED Pubs or print a copy at the Federal Student Aid Gateway. Find the form under FAFSA Filing Options.

Apply as early as possible beginning Jan. 1 of each year.  FAFSA on the Web is the place to start for help getting organized, printing and completing forms and submitting your application online for the 2008-2009 school year. Libraries will no longer distribute the paper forms.

Online learning is a positive experience for most students. It's often accelerated and requires motivation and the ability to work independently. Minnesota Online offers over 200 programs. Search online support, try a sample course, and see if this method of learning appeals to you.

College Board, the national organization that establishes the standards for Advanced Placement classes, just launched the AP Course Ledger. Teachers can search this public registry to find all courses authorized to use the AP label on student transcripts. Currently, College Board has a list of 37 courses that meet the AP requirements. Read more about AP Classes in Minnesota high schools.

Do you know a high school student who is ready for the challenge of college classes? Minnesota colleges offer the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program for high school juniors and seniors. Students complete high school graduation requirements while earning postsecondary credits. The program is available to private and public school students, alternative area learning centers, charter schools and home-schooled students.