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.
The Top 10 things to know before you apply
Only have a minute? This quick list gives you the big picture on how to choose where to apply.
More expensive colleges: Are they better?
A "big name" university may be impressive, but as this article shows, there's much more to college than that.
Can you put a price on your future?
There’s more to your life than the next four years. How much of your future income could go to paying off student loans?
What’s a graduation rate and why does it matter?
Find a school with a good graduation rate and you can feel confident they’ll help you graduate within 4 years.
Questions to ask on your college visits
Here are some good questions to ask when you’re making your visits to different college campuses.
Your state could lower your cost of college
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.
How many schools should I apply to?
Watch this video to learn how you can create a smart and affordable application strategy.
Four types of colleges, four types of prices
When you know the different types of colleges, you can take more control over your costs.
Community college could be a smart choice
Starting at a community college can really work for you, if you know the right way to approach it.
Why you should keep away from for-profit schools
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.
Pro tip: Have a “financial safety” school
Just like you need an academic safety school, you should also have at least one financial safety school. Find out why here.
Can your college application fees be waived?
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.
Special sites for minority students
The sites on this page support minority students in gaining admission to the college of their choice.