Education can help connect you and your family to your community.

In the United States, children can attend public school free of charge from kindergarten to grade 12.
The links below provide information on the public school system, the role of the Parent Teacher Association, programs such as Head Start, and other topics related to education for children.

The Education System in the United States
USA Education in Brief is a U.S. Department of State (DOS) publication that provides an overview of the education system in the United States.

Find Public Schools, Colleges, and Libraries Near You 
The National Center for Education Statistics provides a search tool to help you find public schools, private schools, colleges, and libraries in your area.

Government Preschool Program for Low-Income Children
Head Start is the federal program for preschool children and their low-income families. Search for a program in your area and find resources and information for parents with young children. This site is also available in Spanish.

Free and Low-Cost School Meals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides information about the National School Lunch Program, a program that provides low-cost or free nutritious meals to children in schools.

Get Involved With Your Child's School
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an organization of parents, teachers, and staff that works to promote parental participation in schools. Find out more information about your local PTA and how to get involved.

Prevent and Respond to Bullying
Stopbullying.gov provides information on what bullying is, what cyberbullying is, who is at risk, and how you can prevent and respond to bullying.

Official Government Web Portal for Kids 
Kids.gov connects kids, parents, and teachers to U.S. government information and services on the web that are geared toward children.

Help Your Child Learn to Read – Birth through Preschool
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publication A Child Becomes a Reader: Birth to Preschooldescribes activities that parents can do with their children to improve reading skills.

 

Help Your Child Learn to Read – Kindergarten through Grade 3
The HHS publication A Child Becomes a Reader: Kindergarten through Grade 3 describes activities that parents can do with their children to improve reading skills.

 

 

In the United States, higher education includes two-year community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. The links below provide information about higher education, including financial aid programs, available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Profiles of Colleges and Universities in the United States
The National Center for Education Statistics provides a database that allows you to search for and compare profiles of U.S. colleges and universities. This site is also available in Spanish.

Prepare for and Pay for College
StudentAid.Ed.gov provides information on how to prepare for and select a college, and how to apply for federal student financial aid. This site is also available in Spanish.

Student Loans and Repayment Plans
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information and resources to help you make informed decisions about paying for college and selecting the best repayment plan for your student loans.

Manage Your Student Loans
Studentloans.gov provides information on how to manage and repay your student loans. This site is also available inSpanish (select the link in the top right corner).

Avoid Scams Related to Education and Scholarships
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission provides information to help you and your family avoid becoming victims of scams related to education, scholarships, or finding a job. This site is also available in Spanish.

Tax Benefits for Education
The Internal Revenue Service provides information about tax benefits that may be available to you. You may receive these benefits if you are saving for or paying education costs for yourself or another student who is a member of your immediate family. This site is also available in Spanish.

 

 

For adult immigrants, learning English and civics is an important part of the naturalization process. The links below will provide you with information on adult education opportunities and help you find programs in your area.

Learn English Online
U.S.A. Learns, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, offers free lessons online for immigrants to learn English and improve basic reading, writing, speaking, and life skills.

Find Help in Your Community
The Citizenship Resource Center from USCIS provides information to help you with the naturalization process, including English and citizenship classes and legal assistance.

Find an English and/or Citizenship Class
Search by zip code or address to find an English and/or citizenship class in your area.

Find a Public Library Near You
Public libraries often offer free classes and programs for adults on subjects including literacy, computers, personal finance, finding a job, and more. The National Center for Education Statistics provides a database for you to find a public library in your area.

VOA Learning English Website and YouTube Channel
Voice of America’s Learning English website provides texts and audio of daily news and information, while its YouTube channel provides captioned videos. People can build their vocabulary, strengthen their speaking skills, and improve their ability to communicate for work, school, and everyday life.

American English
The U.S. Department of State’s American English website offers a variety of resources to help you practice English and learn more about the United States and its culture.

 

 

If you work and your children are too young to go to school, you may need to find child care. The links below provide information on how to choose a quality child care program for your child.

Find a High-Quality Child Care Provider
Child Care Aware provides information to help parents learn about high-quality child care and how to locate programs in your community. This site is also available in Spanish.

Financial Assistance for Child Care
You could be eligible for child care assistance through agencies in your state. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides contact information for state agencies that provide financial assistance.

Government Preschool Program for Low-Income Children
Head Start is the federal program for preschool children and their low-income families. Search for a program in your area and find resources and information for parents with young children. This site is also available in Spanish.

Health and Safety Regulations for Child Care Programs
The National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education provides information to help parents and guardians choose quality child care providers, including the requirements that providers must meet in each state.