Applying to College
How many schools should you apply to? Are more expensive schools really better? And how do you find a school you can afford today that can help you get the career you want tomorrow? Choose this section to learn how to approach applying to college in a way that works for you and your budget.
Keeping college affordable
There’s no question that it can take a lot of money to go to college. But there are a number of things that students and families can do to help keep the cost of college in check. And the best time to begin doing that is before you apply. Check out these topics to help you focus on the financial side of your college search.
Only have a minute? This quick list gives you the big picture on how to choose where to apply.
A "big name" university may be impressive, but as this article shows, there's much more to college than that.
There’s more to your life than the next four years. How much of your future income could go to paying off student loans?
Find a school with a good graduation rate and you can feel confident they’ll help you graduate within 4 years.
Here are some good questions to ask when you’re making your visits to different college campuses.
Use the links in this article to learn about the grants your state offers to help you pay for college.
Smart ways to apply
Do you have an application strategy? These topics can help you direct your energies toward applying to the schools that offer you the best combination of opportunity and affordability.
Watch this video to learn how you can create a smart and affordable application strategy.
When you know the different types of colleges, you can take more control over your costs.
Starting at a community college can really work for you, if you know the right way to approach it.
Do you know how to tell a non-profit school from a for-profit one? The answer can make a big difference in your future.
Just like you need an academic safety school, you should also have at least one financial safety school. Find out why here.
Depending on your family’s income, you may be able to save on fees for everything from the SAT to your college applications.
Helpful Sites
There’s good information out there, and we’ve put together some of the best sites for helping students and their families learn more about applying to college.
The sites on this page support minority students in gaining admission to the college of their choice.