Paying For College

Confused by the financial aid maze? Don't worry. You're not alone.

The articles and resources in this section will help you as you explore ways to fund your college education. But first, here are a few things we have learned that you may find helpful as you get started:

• Fill out a FAFSA form every year! Student aid is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's also important to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as you can. The FAFSA is the gateway to all federal financial aid and most state-level financial aid.
• Not all student loans are the same. Federal student loans carry much lower interest rates than private student loans offered by banks and have other significant benefits, like income-based repayment options. Make sure to use all of your federal student loan benefits before utilizing any private student loans.
• If you aren't careful, it's easy to rack up a huge amount of student loan debt. Pay close attention to your loan balances as you earn your degree, and do what you can to minimize the amount you borrow.

The following articles and resources will help you learn about the various ways to pay for your college education: