Paying for College

So, how much money do you really need for college? That, of course, depends on where you’ll be going to college.

Before you rule out schools you think are too expensive, consider this. The amount of financial aid for which you’re eligible depends both on your financial situation, and the cost of attending college. This means that choosing a lower-priced school isn’t always your best bet. In fact, your dream school could be well within your reach.

	Free Money You may qualify for free money—financial aid, such as grants, scholarships and work-study, that does not have to be repaid.

	Student Loans After exhausting free money options, most families turn to federal student loans to fill the college-funding gap. Learn more about federal loan programs, and how Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Parent Plus Loans, and NextStudent Private Loans can help make college more affordable.

Use our calculators to estimate college costs or student loan repayment.

	Information for College Students » Learning financial aid basics » Top Tips

	Quick Links » Graduate Students » NextStudent Scholarship Search Engine » Apply for a Federal Stafford Loan » Apply for a Federal PLUS Loan » Get a NextStudent Private Loan » NextPath