Education Tax Credit 2009 Stimulus

Question: Obama’s plan to help college students pay for school?
I’m working on a budget for myself and trying to figure out how I can afford college. I’m one year into a four year program for Elementary Education. My grandmother has told me that Obama has some plan to help out college students. I’ve tried to find out more but it looks like a tax credit. Can someone explain how that works to me? Do you pay for tuition up front then receive the money back at the end of the year? I’m rather confused on this.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/10/college-tax-credit-stimulus-personal-finance-retirement-new-credit.html
Answer: Obama increased my grants by $3,000. Apply at FAFSA.gov.
Rising tide of red ink contained by fiscal discipline and good fortune
Finance Minister Colin Hansen claimed credit for “prudent fiscal management” Thursday as he released public accounts showing the deficit for the past year was more than three times larger than the “maximum” touted by Premier Gordon Campbell during the election campaign.
Economic Stimulus Plan | Tax School | Tax Education | Liberty Tax Service