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Planning and paying for college

Discover all the ways to plan and pay for your college degree.

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Step 1

Mother and teenage daughter completing forms at a kitchen table

How to complete your FAFSA application

Follow these simple tips to ease the financial aid process for you and your family.

Step 2

A student compares financial aid award letters

How can students compare (and appeal) college financial aid award letters?

Just as no two schools are the same, neither are any two financial aid offers. Learning how to compare — and appeal, if needed — your award letters is key to selecting the school that matches your situation.

Step 3

A woman fills out paperwork while working at a computer

Make your college application short list with these digital tools

There's never been more information available about colleges and universities. These digital tools can help you sort out the details to determine your short list of choices.

Step 4

Student loan application form on desk with stationery

Private student loan vs. federal student loan

Learn the ways in which federal and private student loans vary from each other.

Step 5

A multi-ethnic group of high school age students are sitting together in class and are working on an assignment at their desk.

Earning college credit hours: AP classes, dual enrollment, and more

Learn five common ways to earn college credit before you actually step foot on campus.

Next steps: Start your college prep

Planning for college

Summer opportunities to get ahead academically

Top strategies to help get ahead this summer

Check out these ideas to help get ahead academically and financially while school is out.

Real stories: Resilience rising in college students and parents

Students and parents share not only how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the college journey, but also how they’re keeping positive over the summer and into the fall.

Woman and teen girl discussing paperwork in a library

How to have a productive meeting with your school counselor

One of the most valuable college prep resources is available to you every day — your school counselor.

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Paying for college

What the American Rescue Plan, CARES Act, and other government relief mean for students in 2021

Since March 2020, the federal government has passed several helpful coronavirus-related policies aimed at providing relief for students and their families. Here’s what we know now.

Parents: How to help your student with their scholarship search

Do’s and don’ts for helping your student search for scholarships.

Mom and teen daughter looking at laptop, dad in background reading newspaper

Getting real about college costs

How can you figure out the real price of college?

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Student Impact Scholarship

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Get College Ready

Discover all the ways we may be able to help you prepare, from figuring out how to pay for college to managing your money once you’re there.

Free access to more than 7 million scholarships

Head to TFS Scholarships to apply.

Money tips, tailored to you

CollegeSTEPS strives to provide helpful, accurate, and up-to-date information. Yet, with the changing conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, some CollegeSTEPS imagery, content, and situations portrayed may not reflect advised behaviors during the pandemic. Visit our College & COVID-19 resources for additional guidance.

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Welcome to CollegeSTEPS®

Planning and paying for college

Discover all the ways to plan and pay for your college degree.

A good place to start

How to complete your FAFSA application

How can students compare (and appeal) college financial aid award letters?

Make your college application short list with these digital tools

Private student loan vs. federal student loan

Earning college credit hours: AP classes, dual enrollment, and more

Next steps: Start your college prep

Planning for college

Top strategies to help get ahead this summer

Real stories: Resilience rising in college students and parents

How to have a productive meeting with your school counselor

Paying for college

What the American Rescue Plan, CARES Act, and other government relief mean for students in 2021

Parents: How to help your student with their scholarship search

Getting real about college costs

Student Impact Scholarship

Get College Ready

Free access to more than 7 million scholarships

Money tips, tailored to you

We are here to help

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Find us

Make an appointment