For many people, how to pay for a college education is one of the first major financial decisions they’ll make. Most students pursue scholarships, grants, and financing to achieve their college goals; nearly all college students utilize some form of financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or discounts.
Financial Aid
Federal and state/local governments offer programs designed to help offset the cost of a college education. Student financial aid from private sources includes institutional scholarships, grants, and work-study, as well as student loans from credit unions and other private lenders. These programs can be need-based or merit-based and feature various requirements for repayment or forgiveness. To learn more, explore the Financial Aid Guide.
Tuition
The biggest part of college costs is usually tuition. Tuition is the price you pay for classes. Along with tuition, you’ll probably have to pay some other fees to enroll in and attend college. This section will help you figure out when and what to pay when tuition is due.