Step One

Learn Loan Basics

Be sure to educate yourself on loan types and providers, as well as the loan process. Once you have a sense of how things work, you’ll be in a better position to make a good decision.

What You Need to Know

Determining Your College Budget: Affordability vs. What You’re Willing to Pay

Parents share how they created a college budget and stuck to it.

How to Pay for College Without Parents

This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and...

Financial Aid and More: How to Pay for College With No Money

For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible....

How to Avoid Student Loan Debt

This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) group. It has been edited for clarity and...

Student Loan Advice

Loans can help students cover college funding gaps. If your student has already accepted all scholarship and grant opportunities and...

What You Should Know Before Cosigning a Private Student Loan

What Is a Cosigner on a Private Student Loan?  A cosigner is someone who signs the private loan along with...

Step Two

Research Private Student Loans

There's a difference between federal and private student loans. Is one better than the other? The answer depends on your financial situation.

What You Need to Know

Determining Your College Budget: Affordability vs. What You’re Willing to Pay

Parents share how they created a college budget and stuck to it.

How to Pay for College Without Parents

This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and...

Financial Aid and More: How to Pay for College With No Money

For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible....

How to Avoid Student Loan Debt

This story was originally published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) group. It has been edited for clarity and...

Student Loan Advice

Loans can help students cover college funding gaps. If your student has already accepted all scholarship and grant opportunities and...

What You Should Know Before Cosigning a Private Student Loan

What Is a Cosigner on a Private Student Loan?  A cosigner is someone who signs the private loan along with...

Step Three

Know Alternative Funding Options

There’s more than one way to fund college. Some families get help from relatives or use their own assets. Have you considered all your choices?

What You Need to Know

Determining Your College Budget: Affordability vs. What You’re Willing to Pay

Parents share how they created a college budget and stuck to it.

How to Pay for College Without Parents

This story was first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC101) Facebook community. It’s been edited for clarity and...

The Most Extreme Things Parents Have Done to Pay for School

Comments in this story were first published in our Paying for College 101 (PFC 101) Facebook community. They’ve been edited...

Financial Aid and More: How to Pay for College With No Money

For many families, saving up enough money to cover the entire cost of their children’s higher education just isn’t possible....

You Should Be Asking These Questions About Financial Aid

This article was sponsored by College Ave Student Loans. College Ave takes the stress out of paying for college so...

Best Side Gigs for Parents to Pay for College

Paying for college can be daunting. That’s why more and more parents of college-bound students are looking for additional ways...

Tools & Services Recommended for You

There may come a time when you realize you can’t do it all alone. Use any of the many tools in our toolbox to assist you on the road to college.

Become a Member

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TOOLS

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Coaching

Get coaching on admissions and college financing.

Community

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