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BigFuture Parent Community

Powered by College Board research and our expert community. Equipping you to help your teen navigate their journey with confidence.

BigFuture Live Just for Parents

Join thousands of parents seeking guidance on helping their teen plan life after high school. Get answers from college planning and financial aid experts.  

New Content for Parents

Our expert community is addressing your top concerns.

What to Know About College Loans (3:06)

Financial Aid: What to Do When (3:00)

How to Make Great College Visits (3:06)

Understanding AP Potential (3:32)

 ✦ In Case You Missed It ✦

Rewatch the BigFuture Live Parent Series

Catch up on parent-focused events with expert advice on college and career planning.

PSAT/NMSQT Parent Night: Demystifying the Test (57:03)

FAFSA Night: Funding Your Teen’s Future (1:02:41)

CSS Profile Night: Unlock Aid for Your Teen (59:05)

Parent Support Night: Keeping Your Teen Inspired in High School (1:01:54)

Resources from BigFuture Live

Demystifying the Cost of College: A Parent’s Guide

Recap and resources from our latest BigFuture Live event just for parents

Watch the Recording

Get advice from experts

Watch Now

Presentation Slides

Download the event PPT slides 

Download Now

Net Price Calculators

Find net price calculators on college profiles

Search Colleges

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)

Key info and resources your teen needs

View FAFSA Info

Scholarship Search

Explore 29,000+ scholarship programs

Explore Scholarships

Financial Aid Offers Explained

What to look for in your teen’s offe

Watch Now

Key Takeaways from the Experts

The vast majority of families do not pay the sticker price." Focus on the net price after grants and scholarship before ruling a school out.

Jill Glaze, Bunker Hill Community College

"Don’t guess.” Use each college’s calculator early to estimate what your family might actually pay.

Kelly Nehring, University of San Diego

Missing FAFSA or CSS Profile deadlines “can definitely reduce your eligibility,” Staying organized matters.

Kelly Nehring

"Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.” Review grants vs. loans and evaluate each cost line by line before making a decision.

Lisa Berian, Spelman College

Your Teen Could Win $40,000

Motivate your teen to complete small, meaningful steps to plan for college, and they'll earn chances to win $40,000 and $500 scholarships from BigFuture each month. 

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Parent Action Plans by Grade

Career & College Planning Guidance

Understand the key steps your teen can take at each stage of the college planning process.

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Planificación Para la Universidad y Carreras

Recursos en español para ayudarle a planificar el futuro de su hijo adolescente. 

Explore Para Padres

All About: Paying for College

Financial Aid Terms 101 (2:52)

Net Price: What Is It, and How Much Will I Really Pay? (3:11)

How Much Does College Really Cost? (2:52)

Paying for College 101 (3:00)

College Savings Accounts Explained (2:37)

CSS Profile Explained: Why, What, and How for Parents (2:21)

All About: Preparing in High School

AP to Prepare for College in High School (3:39)

What Matters in 9th Grade (3:02)

Your Role in Your Teen’s College Exploration (2:35)

Exploring Careers with Your Teen (2:56)

Cómo planificar la universidad (2:13)

Guiding Your Teen Through Diverse Pathways (2:52)

Top 6 BigFuture Reads

Explore what our users visit most for college and career planning.