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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

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How to complete your FAFSA application

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

Step 2

Image of student's hand holding a pencil and marking a test paper

Three budget-friendly ways to prepare for the SAT and ACT

Check out these low cost and useful resources that, with a little determination, could make all the difference in your test scores.

Step 3

A young female students searches for scholarships.

Scholarship recipients share their top tips for winning scholarships

Watch this video of advice from real scholarship winners — then go apply!

Step 4

College student comparing financial aid offers

How to compare one college financial aid offer to another

Just as no two schools are the same, neither are any two financial aid offers. Here’s how to compare your award letters.

Step 5

Ways to pay for college

There are a variety of ways to fund your college education. Do you know them?

Step 6

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 7

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.

Get College Ready Tracker

Our step-by-step guide is here to help you — from senior year, to freshman orientation and beyond.

Paying for college Get started
Getting ready for school Get started
Managing money at school Get started

Next steps: Start your college prep

Planning for college

Summer opportunities to get ahead academically

Top strategies to get ahead this summer

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

Mom and teen daughter meeting with school counselor

Parents’ discussion guide: Questions to ask your student’s academic advisor

Help to set your teen up for success by starting an ongoing conversation with their school counselor or academic advisor.

How to decide if you should sign up for extracurricular activities

Before you try out for a sport or sign up for a club, ask yourself these five questions.

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Paying for college

What to do if your financial aid award changes

Learn three major factors that impact your aid, plus what to do if your award unexpectedly decreases.

Father and teenage son looking at tablet together

Parents: How to help your student with their scholarship search

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

mother helping daughter with scholarships

Six ways to help your senior secure scholarships

Is your student getting ready for college? Learn how to up their chances in the scholarship application process with these helpful tips.

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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.

Going to college?

Possibly cover your expenses with a Wells Fargo Private Student Loan.*

We are here to help

Call us

For general banking questions:
1-844-258-7776

For student loan questions:
1-877-226-4172

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For general banking questions:
1-844-258-7776

For student loan questions:
1-877-226-4172

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* Wells Fargo private student loans are subject to credit qualification, completion of a loan application/consumer credit agreement, verification of application information and, if applicable, a self-certification form, the school’s certification of loan amount, and the student’s enrollment at a Wells Fargo-participating school.