Federal, State, & Institutional Aid

You may qualify for financial aid through the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, depending on your situation. Aid may come in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans.

• Grants and scholarships are free money that does not need to be repaid.

• Work-study provides part-time jobs to help cover college costs.

• Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid after graduation.

Learn more on our Financial Aid page.

Compare Costs Across Colleges

Not all colleges cost the same—even if their sticker prices look similar. It’s important to compare what you’ll actually pay. 

• Use each school’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your real cost.
• Review financial aid offers from your prospective colleges carefully, as not all “scholarships” or “grants” are equal.
• Consider the cost of living in each area; urban and rural schools can vary significantly.

Sticker Price vs. Net Price: The sticker price is the full published cost of a college, but most students don’t pay that. The net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Use each school’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your real cost. 

Saving for College

Every dollar saved now is one less you may need to borrow later. Consider: 

• Learn about and open a 529 College Savings Plans.
• Talk with your family about potential family contributions.
• Explore matched savings programs offered through some nonprofits or local initiatives. 

Budgeting While in College

Create a monthly college budget to manage your spending and stay financially on track. 

• Set spending limits for food, entertainment, and personal expenses 
• Choose a budget-friendly meal plan and low-cost or free textbook options.  
• Take advantage of student discounts and free campus resources such as food pantries, laptop loaner programs, and the campus gym.

Working part-time or using Work-Study? Use those earnings wisely to cover essentials—not splurges. 

Smart Borrowing Tips

If you need to take out student loans, be intentional and informed in your borrowing decisions.

• Use federal loans first, as they usually offer lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. 
• Borrow only what you need, not the full amount offered. 
• Understand repayment terms before accepting a loan. 

Ask about loan counseling services or calculators to estimate monthly payments after graduation. 

Helpful Tools & Resources

• College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education) helps you search and compare college costs.
• BigFuture College Cost (College Board) provides planning tools and cost comparisons.
• Search for net price calculators on individual college websites to estimate actual costs. 
• Scholarship Search Tools such as RaiseMe, Going Merry or our Scholarships page can help you find free funding.
• Budgeting apps for students like Mint, Pocketguard, and Goodbudget can help you track your expenses.