Financial

How to pay for college


Part of preparing for college is figuring out how to pay for it. Here, we'll explore topics like searching and applying for scholarships and financial aid, calculating college tuition costs and saving for college.

 

 

 

How to submit your FAFSA

Filling out and submitting the FAFSA is easy — if you’re prepared. Find out what you need to have at the ready to make it a quicker process.

Scholarship tips

Discover some of our best scholarship tips — when to search for them, how to keep them and more.

Financial aid

Review these common terms used by college financial aid offices when figuring out how to pay for college.

Top financial aid questions and answers

Financial aid can be a tough road to navigate, but we’ve got answers to some of the most-asked financial aid questions.

College scholarships

College is expensive, but scholarships can help a lot. We’ll show you where your student can find them.

College preparation checklist

College will be here before you know it. Start preparing early. We’re here for you every step of the way.

 

National Merit Scholar

What is the National Merit Scholarship Program, and how can your student qualify? We have the deets to share.
 

Submitting the FAFSA

Your student completed the FAFSA and hit “submit.” What happens now and how does it lead to your student getting money to help pay for college?

Financial aid award letter

Your student’s financial aid award letter says they’re getting funds to help pay for college. So how do they actually get those funds and put them toward their college expenses?…

Financial aid notification (FAN)

Everything you and your student need to know in order to compare university financial aid packages and how to make an informed choice.

After school job

Why it’s probably a good idea for your student to get an after school job.

Western Undergraduate Exchange

The Western Undergraduate Exchange is an option to make out-of-state tuition more affordable. Find out all about it.

College savings plan

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account. 529 accounts offer more flexibility than other types of education savings accounts.

Financial aid and the cost of college

Higher education is within reach. Find out what college really costs and how you can pay for it.

Financial aid for college

With proper financial planning and some financial aid expertise, parents and students can learn what misconceptions, myths and mistakes to avoid when trying to pay for college.…

Grades and financial aid

Grades and credit hours can affect your student’s financial aid. Students must meet SAP requirements.

Student tax filing information

Is your student a dependent according to the IRS? Find out here.

 

Tax refund or payment

If your student has filed or will soon file a tax return, they may be wondering how they’ll spend their refund or contemplating how to pay taxes they owe.

Education tax credits

Each financial aid award is treated a little differently when it comes to tax time, so we’ll assess each one and review higher education tax credits and deductions you should know…

Veteran benefits

GI Bill benefits can be transferred to military dependents to help pay for college. See if you qualify and apply.

Saving for college

Chrish Arnold from the NPR Life Kit podcast shares how to save money for your student’s college tuition.

Finding Scholarships

Finding free money for college takes a little work. There are some tools that you and your student can start using now that will help pave the road to an affordable college degree.…