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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

A young woman in the ocean smiles as she rests her arms on a surfboard.

How to make the most of the summer before your college freshman year

Don’t let your education motivation melt away during summer break. Keep up your momentum as you head into your first semester with these tips.

Experiencing college as an LGBTQ+ student

Three students share their thoughts about what it means to be LGBTQ+ on a college campus, and offer advice for others.

If I Knew Then: Ginger Sprong

Getting into college takes a lot of work and support, but plenty of students have done it before. We asked five former college students to share their experiences throughout the application process as well as information they wish they knew before starting it. This is Ginger's perspective.

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Paying for college

A parent and student explore scholarship info.

Parents: How to help your student with their scholarship search

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

laptop keyboard overlaid with pen and paper scholarship application

Need scholarships? Look no further

There are a wealth of scholarship opportunities at your fingertips. Here are some tips for applying.

A student sits on a bench with a laptop and a cup of coffee.

11 hidden college expenses

Beyond tuition, learn what costs to expect as you start preparing for your first semester on campus.

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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

How to make the most of the summer before your college freshman year

Experiencing college as an LGBTQ+ student

If I Knew Then: Ginger Sprong

Paying for college

Parents: How to help your student with their scholarship search

Need scholarships? Look no further

11 hidden college expenses

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

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