Web site helps Maryland families plan and pay for higher education

Maryland Wiredscholar Now Online

INDIANAPOLIS — USA Funds^®, the designated guarantor of federal education loans for Maryland, and wiredscholar.com, the foremost online resource for "going-to-college" information, announce the launch of a new Web site to help Maryland residents plan and pay for higher education. Maryland Wiredscholar, combines college-planning information specific to Maryland with wiredscholar's comprehensive tools for college preparation and financing.

"By visiting Maryland Wiredscholar, students and parents can explore the wide range of higher-education opportunities offered in the state and learn about Maryland's student-aid and college-savings programs," said Carl C. Dalstrom, USA Funds president and CEO.

Developed in consultation with Maryland financial-aid professionals and education lenders, Maryland Wiredscholar contains step-by-step tutorials on the entire college-planning process, including applying for college, preparing for college and repaying student loans. The site provides access to helpful college-planning tools, including a school-comparison tool, school-affordability analyzer and free online scholarship search, as well as a variety of interactive calculators and checklists.

Visitors to the site also can register to receive through e-mail a free monthly college-planning newsletter.

"Consistent with our nonprofit mission in support of education access and our service to higher education in Maryland, USA Funds is pleased to offer this college-planning resource at no cost to the state or its residents," Dalstrom said.