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Paying for college
Financial Aid & FAFSA

How the FAFSA Works

The Student Aid Index

Types of Federal Aid

Aid Eligibility and Dependency

Comparing Aid Offers

Aid Appeals and Special Circumstances

Keeping Your Aid

Scholarships & Grants

How Scholarships Work

Federal and State Grants

Finding Scholarships

Scholarship Applications and Essays

Scholarships by Student Situation

Institutional and Merit Aid

Scholarship Scams and Taxes

Student Loans

Federal vs Private Loans

Federal Loan Types and Limits

How Much to Borrow

Repayment Plans

Forgiveness and Discharge

Parent and Graduate Borrowing

Refinancing and Consolidation

College Costs & Savings

What College Actually Costs

Net Price vs Sticker Price

529 Plans

Other Ways to Save

Education Tax Credits

Paying the Tuition Bill

Cutting the Cost of College

Choosing a College

Comparing Schools With Outcomes Data

How Admissions Decisions Work

Applications and Deadlines

Majors, Careers and Earnings

Community College and Transfer

Online and Nontraditional Programs

Accreditation and Red Flags
School and learning
School Choice & Enrollment

Types of Schools

How to Evaluate a School

Enrollment and Zoning

Homeschooling and Alternatives

Accreditation and School Quality

Changing Schools

School Transitions by Grade

Learning & Academic Support

Study Skills That Work

Homework and Home Routines

Grades and Transcripts

Reading, Writing and Math Support

Tutoring and Extra Help

Learning Differences and Support Plans

Technology and Screen Time

School Life & Wellbeing

Stress, Motivation and Burnout

Friendships and Social Skills

Bullying and School Safety

Mental Health at School

Working With Teachers and Schools

Activities, Clubs and Sports

Getting Ready for What Is Next
Calculators

College savings projection

How much should I borrow?

Student loan payment estimator

Which student loan rules apply to me?
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Finding Scholarships for Business and Management Students

Federal and State Education Grants: What Is Actually Available

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Guides to paying for college and getting through school, for families in the United States.

Federal student aid rules changed on 1 July 2026. Where an answer depends on when you borrowed, we show both.

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