Paying For College
How much does it really cost to go to college? How do you decide if a school is worth the cost? And where can you find the money to pay for it all? Learn how to take on the big questions here.
Using your own money
It's simple mathematics: the more you have in savings to pay for college, the less you'll need to borrow in loans – and the less you'll have to pay in interest. That can save you a lot of money. Check out the pages below for some good ways to build up your savings and/or keep your costs down.
Sometimes families overlook where they may have savings to use for college. Here are some possibilities.
College may be a big expense, but there are some surprising ways to reduce what it costs you.
Every extra year in college means another year of expenses. So finish in 4 years, not more years.
A part-time job may help you pay for college – but it’s only worth it if it doesn’t take time from your studies.
Getting "free money" with scholarships and grants
College may be expensive, but don't let that scare you. There are ways to reduce its costs. Check out the topics in this section to see how your grades and activities during high school can help you gain free money through scholarships and grants.
Not sure where to look for scholarships and grants? Here are some good places to start.
Most states offer grants to residents going to college. Find out if you qualify.
Discover some clear, easy and fast ways to look for scholarships and grants.
When you know what to look for, you can avoid the scholarship scammers.
Borrowing money with student loans
Over 60% of college students depend on student loans to help pay for college. But not all loans are the same, and some can cost much more than others over time. The pages in this section will show you how different loans work and how to make the right choices for you.
View a 90-second video that takes the mystery out of student loans and learn the 7 things people don't realize about them.
It’s better to learn about interest, payback time and total amount borrowed now than after you’ve committed to a student loan.
If you think a student loan will pay for your college education, you really need to visit this page.
All loans are not the same. Where you choose to borrow can make a big difference in how much you pay.
Most people don’t know this, but the amount you borrow shouldn’t depend on the cost of your school.
One college, one big loan? Hint: That’s not how it works. You need to apply for a new loan every year you're in college.
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 using savings, scholarships and grants, and loans to help pay for college.