Get Help Paying for College

Most students get help paying for college. Use these resources to figure out how to find and apply for financial aid and scholarships, and how to understand the difference between gift aid, loans, and work-study jobs.

How Does Financial Aid Work?

Financial aid is money that helps pay for college. For most students, financial aid is essential to making college affordable.

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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

To apply for federal financial aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Find out how to complete the form and other key information you need to know.

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What Are the Different Types of Financial Aid?

If you need help paying for college, you must be familiar with the types of financial aid available. With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll know exactly what to look for when you apply for financial aid.

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Senior Year: Financial Aid Checklist

To make the financial aid process as easy as possible and ensure you maximize your financial aid opportunities, it’s helpful to know what steps you should take, and when. Use the timeline as a guide to apply for financial aid during your senior year of high school.

Financial Aid: FAQ

There are billions of dollars of financial aid available to students who need help paying for college. If you want this assistance, it’s important that you determine your eligibility and apply on time.

How to Complete the CSS Profile®

Almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile to award nonfederal financial aid.

College Loan Basics

A college education can increase your career opportunities and your future salary. This means that taking out a college loan—as long as you borrow wisely—can be an excellent investment in your future.

State, Federal, and Institutional Financial Aid

Whether you’re pursuing a certificate, trade program, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, financial aid is available. It can come from your state, from the federal government, and/or from the college you plan on attending.

How to Avoid Financial Aid Scams

Applying for this financial aid can require a lot of paperwork, so it may sound tempting if someone offers to help you with this process. The following advice will help you to avoid wasting money on unnecessary services and to recognize a scam.

Financial Aid Glossary: Learn the Lingo

FAFSA, net price, priority date—you may come across some unfamiliar terms as you start looking into and applying for financial aid. Here’s a glossary to help you make sense of it all.

How to Fill the Financial Aid Gap

Your college bill shows what you’re responsible for paying after your financial aid has been applied to your account. There are other costs you should consider in addition to the costs on your tuition fee bill.

How to Prepare to Apply for Financial Aid

If you plan to attend college, it’s time to get yourself ready, get your family involved, and set yourself up for success. Here are steps to take regarding financial aid and college costs.

What’s Work-Study?

If you’ve received work-study on your financial aid offer, you may have questions about how it works and how it will help you pay for college. This article answers these and other questions.

Scholarships, Grants, and Institutional Aid

Whether you’re pursuing a certificate, trade program, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree, you can get help paying for college. It can come in the form of financial aid from your state, from the federal government, and/or from the college you plan on attending. And it can also come from scholarships or grants, which money for college that you don’t have to pay back.

What should you do the summer before college?

There are a few additional steps you need to complete over the summer to ensure you’re ready for college in the fall. We’ve put together this summer checklist to help you get started.