How to Pay for College | Discover Student Loans

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Take advantage of the various types of financial aid available to you such as scholarships and grants to help you pay for school.

College Loans

What Do Student Loans Cover?

Find out what student loans cover and how they might help you pay for college. Learn how you can pay for college and what student loans cover.

College Loans

Five Things You Should Pay for With Student Loans (And 5 You Shouldn't)

Learn what you can pay for using a student loan. Find useful tips on what can you use a student loan for and what your student loan should not cover.

Monthly Reminder

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Keep up the Scholarship Search

There’s still time to uncover new scholarships. Try the scholarship search tool.

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Apply for Scholarships

It’s not too late to apply for scholarships. Keep searching. Any scholarship you get is free money to help pay for college.

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Compare Award Letters

You should see your acceptances and award letters start to come in. Begin comparing offers to figure out what each school will cost.

Look for Jobs and Internships

A summer job is a great way to help pay for college. It’s important to understand how summer jobs can affect Financial Aid.

Read the Fine Print on Scholarships

Before you accept a scholarship, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully.

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Try for More Aid

If your financial circumstances changed, try appealing your financial aid package.

Send Your Deposit

Once you’ve selected a college, send the deposit before the deadline, which is typically due May 1 or shortly after.

Ask About Scholarships

Keep looking for scholarships to see what you can get. Your college may have one that you didn’t know about. Ask!

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Look into Campus Living

You’ve made the big choice, now come the smaller ones. It’s time to decide on housing, meal plans and roommates.

Get Working

Sign up for summer jobs or summer internships. The earlier you build out your résumé, the better off you’ll be come college graduation. Plus, any money you earn over the summer can help with college expenses.

Turn Work into Scholarships

Some jobs offer part-time employees access to scholarships or tuition assistance. Ask to see if your summer job can help pay your tuition bill.

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Follow Up on Your Financial Aid

Double check to make sure you have your FAFSA acknowledgement, and accept your financial aid package online in your student portal.

Apply for Private Student Loans

If you need help covering your remaining school-certified college costs, now’s the time to apply for your private student loans.

Don’t Forget About Scholarships

Keep looking for scholarships to see what you can get. Your college might have one that you didn’t know about. Ask!

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Apply for Private Student Loans

If you still need money to cover school-certified college costs, make sure to apply for private student loans before tuition is due.

Pay Your Tuition

This is the last step before going to college if you are paying tuition out of pocket.

Apply for Summer Scholarships

Not every scholarship has a fall deadline. Research summer scholarships. The slow season might even make it easier to win.

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You May Still for Private Student Loans

If you still need money to cover school-certified college costs, make sure to apply for private student loans before tuition is due.

Research Scholarships

It’s never too soon to start researching scholarships so you can get free money for college.

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Go to a Financial Aid Workshop

Research Scholarships

Research as many scholarships as you can, and start keeping track of deadlines in a spreadsheet.

Prepare for the FAFSA®

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available October 1. Begin gathering tax information, asset records, Social Security numbers and federal school codes.

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Fill Out the FAFSA

The FAFSA is available October 1. No matter what your financial situation, you should fill out the FAFSA.

Review Your SAR

After you complete your FAFSA, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). Review carefully to make sure all the information from your FAFSA is correct.

Complete the CSS Profile™

In addition to the FAFSA, you may be required to complete the CSS Profile. Nearly 400 colleges use the CSS to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid, so check with the schools on your list.

Continue Scholarship Research

Keep researching. Start with what you’re good at and look for scholarships that speak to your talents.

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Finish Your FAFSA

If you haven’t already, fill out the FAFSA, so you don’t miss out on scholarships, grants or federal loans.

Find New Scholarships

It’s National Scholarship Month! If you need help finding available scholarships, try the Discover Student Loans free scholarship search tool.

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Apply for Scholarships

Found some scholarships that seem like a good fit? Send in your applications, and keep the scholarship search going. If you need help finding available scholarships, try the free Discover Student Loans scholarship search tool.

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College Costs

Creative Ways to Save Money on Textbooks

College textbooks can be shockingly expensive. Find helpful ways to save money on this necessary expense with help from Discover Student Loans.

College Costs

Does it Pay to Stay in State?

It is a common belief that out-of-state tuition can be more expensive than in-state tuition. Check out which states offer affordable costs to attend state schools.

Cost of College Education - Average Annual Cost of College

College Costs

Average Cost of College Tuition

Learn about the average cost of a college education and how choice might affect the average annual costs.

College Costs

How to Graduate College with (Almost) No Debt

It may be tempting to borrow for college, but there are ways to avoid it. Discover Student Loans offers first-person accounts on graduating college without debt - or very little.

College Costs

The Rising Cost of College Infographic

Just how much has the cost of college increased over the years? Check out this infographic from Discover Student Loans to compare what Baby Boomers paid vs. Gen Z.

College Costs

What Does College Actually Cost?

Wonder how much college costs per year? Here is a rundown of the average college expenses, and a few tips to help you keep them to a minimum.

Cost of Living - How Does Location Impact College Cost

College Costs

How Much Will College Cost by Location?

Learn about the cost of living in college and how a school's location can impact out-of-pocket expenses and how much college costs.

College Costs

Where You Live Can Help Save on College Expenses

Find out your options when considering how to afford college living expenses. Get advice on how to limit college expenses when choosing where to live.

College Costs

4 Options if Tuition is Due and You Don't Have the Cash

Find out what options are available if college tuition is due but you don't have the money on hand. Have a plan in place before tuition is due.

Financial Aid

How Do I Report Multiple Students on the FAFSA?

Do you have questions about including more than one student on the FAFSA? Here are some tips about how to report all of your family's college students.

Financial Aid

Reporting Your Income on the FAFSA

Confused about reporting your income on the FAFSA? Learn more about how income affects financial aid.

Financial Aid

What I Wish I Had Known About Paying for College

Grace, now a junior at UC Berkeley, has some advice for her 17-year-old self.

Financial Aid

Navigating Financial Aid

Navigating the financial aid process can seem daunting whether it's your first time in college or you are a returning student. Use these step-by-step instructions to help guide you through the process.

Financial Aid

The Student Aid Report

You will receive your Student Aid Report after you submit your FAFSA. Learn about the SAR and how it is used to determine financial aid.

Financial Aid

How I Saved $8,000 in Tuition by Working for My School

While it's difficult juggling a job and college, there are many perks for having a work-study position. Learn how one student saved on tuition through federal work-study.

Financial Aid

How Academic Performance Can Impact FAFSA Eligibility

If you used FAFSA to apply for financial aid, do not assume your award is a lock for next year. Discover Student Loans explains how your academic performance can impact your FAFSA eligibility.

Financial Aid

What Parents & Students Need to Know About FAFSA Dependency Status

Dependency status determines whose financial information will be reported on the FAFSA. Find out what parents and students need to know about FAFSA dependency status.

Financial Aid

How to Get More Financial Aid if There is Gap in Your Funding

Sometimes your financial aid award is not enough to cover your college expenses. Here's what to do when there's a gap in your financial aid.

College Loans

Understanding Student Loan Interest Rates

Understanding student loan rates are important when evaluating student loans. Learn about differences between fixed interest rates and variable interest rates.

College Loans

My Biggest Student Loan Regrets

It's important to understand the ins and outs of student loans before applying. Discover Student Loans provides advice for avoiding common student loan regrets.

College Loans

How Rising Interest Rates Affect Your Student Loans

Wondering how rising interest rates may affect your student loan rate? Find out how the Federal Reserve movements could affect the interest rate of your student loan.

College Loans

What You Need to Know About Student Loan Refunds

Did you get a student loan refund? Before rushing out to spend it all, find out the best way to use your student loan refund to avoid costly mistakes.

College Loans

How I Reduced How Much I Needed to Borrow in Student Loans

Student loan payments can be ongoing and expensive. Discover Student Loans shares one student's story on how she borrowed less for college.

College Loans

What is a Direct Stafford Loan?

Learn what a Direct Stafford Loan is and the differences between subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Find out more about this most common federal student loan.

College Loans

Determine How Much to Borrow

Follow easy steps to help you determine how much you need to borrow in student loans from Discover Student Loans.

College Loans

Consider Federal Student Loans

Find helpful information about the different federal student loan options for college. Compare federal and private loans and choose the loan that best fit your needs.