Tips on Paying for College from StudentAid.com

A college degree opens many doors of opportunity. Yet the cost of college is significant and has climbed rapidly during the past decades. Each year, millions of college-bound students have no idea how they are going to pay for their education. Figuring out how to pay for college can be confusing and stressful.

Our personalized College Cost & Planning Report™ will help you and your family make a well-informed decision about which college is the best fit for your career goals and bank account. We calculate your net (out-of-pocket) costs of college, even years before you apply. Your personal report will show a side-by-side net cost comparison of the colleges you are considering, as well as comprehensive college profiles that include graduation and retention rates. Instead of waiting until you receive aid award letters from colleges, you can now know years in advance of applying how much aid the colleges you're evaluating expect to offer you. Armed with that insight, you can make a smart choice about where to pursue your education dreams.

Use the resources at StudentAid.com to learn about the hundreds of federal, state, and private student aid programs available to help you pay for college.

• How student aid works – Answer your questions about eligibility requirements, how to apply for student aid, and how you can maximize your student aid awards.
• Grants and scholarships – Grants and scholarships are the best types of student aid because there's no repayment!
• Loans – Every year, millions of students rely on loans to help pay for the growing cost of a college education.
• Work-study – Have you considered part-time work during college to help pay for your expenses?
• Military aid – Learn about the benefits available to veterans and service members who are pursuing a college education.
• Tax-based student aid – Although they are often overlooked, there are education tax benefits, deductions, and credits that can reduce your net college costs.
• Other types of student aid – College is expensive, so make sure you explore all types of financial aid, including private aid programs.
• College funding resources – Still have questions? Check out these great resources.