Learn about options to pay for college:

Let’s talk money for college —
jump over to our College Financial Aid Guide to discuss ways you can pay for college.

It’s not too early! The financial aid process starts January 01 for Fall entering students. You need to begin the process of assembling your financial information for both student and parent. Colleges will use that information to determine the amount of aid to award you.

So Do It Right! Review our quick financial aid notes to understand what you need to know:

Note 1:   understand the financial aid process
Note 2:   submitting the FAFSA form for federal aid
Note 3:   review the student aid report
Note 4:   get the financial award letter
Note 5:   view financial aid options
Note 6:   apply for and manage student funds

Something Extra

What are you doing for the December holidays?

We have a fun holiday package that you can download instantly: click here: FREE download

• view our complete college planning calendar for November

Compare your choice of schools head-to-head and take a virtual tour of the campus. Begin grouping your college choices and rank them based on your selection criteria:

Use this worksheet to keep a college comparison report:
FREE download 

• College Comparison and Profiles
  compare colleges by region and cost:
  http://nces.ed.gov
  
  you can profile two or more colleges on cost, student size, teacher ratio, and other criteria:
  www2.collegeboard.com
  
  
• College Rankings
  view college rankings by school criteria and other rankings
  www.library.uiuc.edu

  college rankings from US News & World Report:
  www.usnews.com

Make a Campus Visit:

You should plan to make a college visit after you submit your application. The cost to attend college can be high for many schools. So make sure this is the right school for you.

• Plan to visit the college for a full day. Attend when the school is in session, if possible.
• Arrange an interview with the admission office or other “campus visit” groups.
• Meet with the financial aid office to get all related financial aid information offered by that school.
• When doing a visit, check out the library, student unions, sporting facilities, and academic centers. Walk the campus to familiarize yourself with the layout.
• Review housing facilities and dormitories to determine whether to live on-campus or off-campus housing. Note the college rules for housing. Some colleges require first-time Freshmen to live in dormitories.
• Schedule time to speak with students and faculty. Visit the clubs and societies that are part of the campus life. Check campus rules, safety
  programs, and facilities that maintain the safety of the campus.
• Drive around the surrounding community to familiarize yourself with restaurants, theaters, rec areas, job opportunities, etc.

• view our complete college planning calendar for September