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College Planning

College Search & Information

The following links should be helpful in the initial stage of deciding on the schools to which a student may be interested in applying.  They will also serve as a way of finding a particular schools web site in order to glean information about that school.

College Financial Aid

Initially, students and parents should go to the web site of the college of interest to find out what scholarship and/or financial aid programs are available.  This can usually be found under ADMISSIONS on  the college's home page.

There are two types of financial aid: need-based aid and non-need-based aid (sometimes called merit-based aid --- scholarships).  Grants, work-study programs, and subsidized loans are need-based aid and to qualify for them, you must demonstrate need.  You apply for federal and state financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The information you report on the FAFSA is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) which is used to establish your financial need. Begin thinking about next year's aid early because financial aid availability is based on individual and/or family income and assets for the prior year.  Anything a family can do to reduce its assets and reported income before filling out the FAFSA will decrease your EFC, and thus, could increase your financial need.

Private organizations offer need-based and non-need-based aid programs. Most of these programs are highly competitive.  Potential sources include employers, clubs, professional associations in the intended field of study, local businesses, and church groups.

Colleges use non-need-based aid (scholarships) to attract students who are either exceptionally well-qualified academically or who possess some special skill or talent need by the school.

Negotiate what's in the package. Each school offers its own combination of grants, on-campus employment and loans. The differences in the packages are a measure of how eager the school is to persuade your child to enroll. As in any major purchase decision you make, don't assume a school's first offer is its best. Most colleges will consider increasing the assistance they're willing to give when they are made aware of extenuating circumstances, such as heavy medical bills or a temporary fob loss. 

College-financing experts advise that a student's total borrowing not exceed what he or she can expect to earn in a first job after graduation.  The amount of debt a student repays per year shouldn't exceed 10 percent of the take-home pay expected in the first year after graduation. 

Financial Aid Facts

Don't fall for college cost myths

Do Homework on Financial Aid

Student Loan / College Savings Calculator

  • Braintrack's Financial Aid Help
    To help students understand and navigate the many available options, BrainTrack's series of student financial aid articles covers a wide range of topics that should be of interest to any student pursuing assistance in financing their higher education. Articles provide guidance on obtaining aid from the federal government, state governments, colleges and universities, private organizations, community service, scholarships, and more. The articles link to dozens of other references to enable further research.
  • The Financial Aid Information Page This page contains a wealth of information, including fastWeb, a scholarship search service, and is a most helpful page of interest to students and parents, college financial aid and admissions staff and high school counselors. All of the organizations listed provide up to date descriptions of financial aid products and related services and are often involved in various capacities in the administration of student financial aid.
  • Title IV Institution Codes Use this form to find a school's Title IV Code. These codes are used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are Title IV Codes for 7,780 schools listed in this database.
  • School Grants Blog This site provides grant information for students looking to get school grants.
  • College Board Online This page includes a wide variety of information for students and parents, college financial aid and admissions staff and high school counselors, as well as other information. Many colleges require a customized PROFILE application that can be obtained here, at College Scholarship Service (CSS) to apply for need-based financial aid.
  • Scholarships4School
    This free website is to provide students with the tools they need to make informed decisions about obtaining scholarships and other forms of financial aid.
  • Department of Education This is the home page for the U. S. Department of Education.
  • Colleges, Scholarships, and Financial Aid Page
    Here you will find links to ten FREE online scholarship searches, college admissions and financial aid office email addresses and toll free numbers, links to college websites and online applications (by state), a free college admissions and scholarships email newsletter, and a list of the web's best college and scholarships websites.
  • QuestBridrge
    A program that links bright, motivated low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at some of the nation's best colleges. QuestBridge is the provider of the National College Match Program and the College Prep Scholarship.
  • SimpleTuition
    A completely free online resource center for students and parents looking to finance a college/grad school education.  It has info on financial aid, student loans, consolidation, and a very handy loan comparison tool.
  • Student Loan Coach
    A free resource for student loan information and applications.
  • SallieMae This organization provides student loan and other financial services to higher education. This page also has loan repayment calculators and information on consolidating student loans.
  • FAFSA on the Web This is the home page of FAFSA.  At this site you can file an electronic version of  FAFSA.
  • La. Office of Student Financial Assistance This web site has information on student aid programs administered by LOSFA. They offer a free scholarship search service called "Fund Finder" and information about TOPS.  Students who will be attending college in the state of  Louisiana should definitely visit this site.
  • Louisiana Education Loan Authority This is a division of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), a non-profit public trust established to bring financing assistance and advantages to the people of Louisiana.  Low interest loans can be made for any Louisiana student regardless of where he attends college.
  • NextStudent.com
    NextStudent provides student financial aid and financial aid counseling to parents and college-bound, college, and graduate students.
  • eStudentLoan.com  Get instant student loan comparisons and APPLY ONLINE with major lenders. Includes advice, news, and a scholarship search tool.
  • Financial Aid Search Through the Web
  • Scholarship For Service  An OPM program, "Scholarship For Service," that offers college funding in return for a period of employment by the student after graduation.
  • ROTC Scholarships
  • Octameron Press  Octameron is a source for higher education publications and consulting services. It has specially written guides to help you choose and pay for college.

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    The purpose of this page is to provide information useful to students and their parents in preparing for college.  If you find this page useful, or if you have any suggestions for improving it, I would enjoy hearing from you.

    Last Updated on 08/23/2010
    By Harry Clark