Please note: Although the College Money Matters Team has found the information on the sites listed here to be useful, we do not endorse these or any sites from any organization. Also, we have not verified the content. Please be aware that there are always assumptions and flaws in any statistics and information that are gathered by any researcher.
Helpful sites for applying to college
College Navigator
This is one of the best sites for comparing colleges and finding ones with programs you are looking for. You can use search criteria and do side by side comparisons. (And save them!) Favorite things to find on this site: graduation rates (look for 4 year graduation), drop out rates, programs and majors, how much financial aid is awarded and college safety)
College Affordability & Transparency Center
A new feature on the College Navigator site, the College Affordability and Transparency Center is where you can find cost calculators for any colleges you are interested in by entering their name.
Third Way Report
There are a lot of ways to evaluate colleges. Take a break from US News and check out this report from Third Way on what kind of economic mobility you might expect from attending certain colleges, or which colleges give students the best bang for their buck.
College Scorecard
A website managed by the US Department of Education, this source, like College Navigator, provides details about specific colleges, graduation rates, student body profiles, costs, financial aid and debt, fields of study, costs, admissions, and more. It shows graduation rates after 8 years instead of 4 years, and it looks at salary medians rather than starting salaries.
Schools using the common app
The common app allows you to apply to multiple colleges using the same application. See which colleges participate here:
Common application sites focused on minority students
These sites provide ways for minority students to apply to multiple colleges with one application.
Visit the Common Black College Application site
Visit the Coaltion for College Access site
Federal Aid Estimator
Go to this “estimator” to see what Federal Aid you may get, based on your family income.
https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/
Financial Aid Package Estimator (Tuitionfit.org)
You can use this free crowdsourced model to get an estimate of what your personal financial aid package might look like at different colleges. Just enter what you can afford for college and find out which colleges will probably meet that need.
Problems caused by for-profit colleges
This article delivers powerful insights into many of the issues with for-profit college, including their high-pressure sales techniques, tendency to result in high debt for students, and relatively meaningless degrees. Note: This link contains the names of ‘for profit’ schools to avoid.
Helpful sites for navigating financial aid & FAFSA
FAFSA Application for Federal Student Aid
In terms of paying for college, your FAFSA application may be the most important online form you fill out. It’s your key to getting low-cost government loans for your college education, no matter what your or your family’s income may be. It also is used by the government and colleges to determine scholarships based on financial need.
Understanding FAFSA (The New School)
This detailed guide to filling out FAFSA includes answers to a lot of questions you may have. It even includes information for immigrants, homeless and undocumented students. You can sign up for regular updates too. A useful site for mentors and students.
College Scholarship Service CSS Application
Use this application to find out if you’re eligible for certain kinds of financial aid from non-government sources. Over 400 colleges require it, so check to see if any if your chosen colleges are on the list.
How to avoid financial aid fraud
The Federal Government’s advice on how not to get scammed.
Helpful sites for paying for college
How much you can borrow in student loans
This link shows you the maximum you can borrow in Federal student loans each year that you're in college.
Federal loans vs. private loans
A useful article that outlines the basic differences between these two types of student loan options, and why one may be much affordable than the other.
Scholarship America
Search for scholarships you may qualify for on this site, from the source that has connected more students to more dollars than any other private scholarship provider.
College Scholarships.org
A less well known, but reputable site to search for scholarships, this site also includes resources like sample thank you notes and essay topics
Special scholarship resources for minority students
Here is the link to the United Negro College Fund scholarship site. Check through the many scholarships on this site and others to see if you meet the eligibility criteria and application requirements.
How to avoid scholarship scams
You should never have to pay for access to scholarship information or to fill out other financial aid forms. They are all free. This article provides advice from the Federal Trade Commission on how to protect yourself from scammers who tell you they’ll help you get financial aid or scholarships, when their goal is to get your money or steal your personal information.
The Personal Side of Student Debt
This article from The Atlantic magazine profiles the impact of student loan debt on the lives of students at the University of Alabama.
Helpful sites for deciding on a college
Financial Aid Comparison Tool (US Govt.)
Designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Board, this calculator lets you enter specific information from your financial aid packages so you can estimate what each of your college choices may cost. A quick guideline: keep your borrowing to an absolute minimum by using only government loans.
Try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Comparison Tool
College Cost Calculator (U*Aspire)
This calculator is created by a nonprofit and it allows you to enter information from your financial aid packages to compare the costs of colleges that have accepted you.
Compare your costs with the College Cost Calculator
Simple Student Loan Calculator
This calculator will help you estimate what a loan of any amount will cost you over time. But remember, each year that you're in college can mean another loan – and a different interest rate, too. So do the math for one year and four years.
Try The Student Loan Calculator
Detailed Student Loan Calculator
This link takes you to a calculator on FinAid.org, a site run by recognized FAFSA expert, Mark Kantrowitz. Please note: the information you provide on the FinAid site may be used for marketing purposes.
Helpful sites for parents & guardians
Fees and Interest Rates on Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS Loans interest rates tend to be relatively high compared to some other college loans. The government also charges an origination fee to start the loan. You can stay up to date with latest interest rates and origination fee charges at this site.
Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents
Published by the US Government, this guidebook explains how Parent PLUS Loans work, including how interest is charged and details on deferment or forbearance.
Financial Aid Comparison Tool (US Govt.)
Designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Board, this calculator lets you enter specific information from your financial aid packages so you can estimate what each of your college choices may cost. A quick guideline: keep your borrowing to an absolute minimum by using only government loans.
Try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Comparison Tool
College Cost Calculator (U*Aspire)
This calculator is created by a nonprofit and it allows you to enter information from your financial aid packages to compare the costs of colleges that have accepted you.
Compare your costs with the College Cost Calculator
Simple Student Loan Calculator
This calculator will help you estimate what a loan of any amount will cost you over time. But remember, each year that you're in college can mean another loan – and a different interest rate, too. So do the math for one year and four years.
Try The Student Loan Calculator
Detailed Student Loan Calculator
This link takes you to a calculator on FinAid.org, a site run by recognized FAFSA expert, Mark Kantrowitz. Please note: the information you provide on the FinAid site may be used for marketing purposes.
Fees and Interest Rates on Parent PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS Loans interest rates tend to be relatively high compared to some other college loans. The government also charges an origination fee to start the loan. You can stay up to date with latest interest rates and origination fee charges at this site.
Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents
Published by the US Government, this guidebook explains how Parent PLUS Loans work, including how interest is charged and details on deferment or forbearance.
Financial Aid Comparison Tool (US Govt.)
Designed by the Consumer Financial Protection Board, this calculator lets you enter specific information from your financial aid packages so you can estimate what each of your college choices may cost. A quick guideline: keep your borrowing to an absolute minimum by using only government loans.
Try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Comparison Tool
College Cost Calculator (U*Aspire)
This calculator is created by a nonprofit and it allows you to enter information from your financial aid packages to compare the costs of colleges that have accepted you.
Compare your costs with the College Cost Calculator
Simple Student Loan Calculator
This calculator will help you estimate what a loan of any amount will cost you over time. But remember, each year that you're in college can mean another loan – and a different interest rate, too. So do the math for one year and four years.
Try The Student Loan Calculator
Detailed Student Loan Calculator
This link takes you to a calculator on FinAid.org, a site run by recognized FAFSA expert, Mark Kantrowitz. Please note: the information you provide on the FinAid site may be used for marketing purposes.