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The 2024-25 FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available in December 2023.

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Paying for college

Helpful information to help pay for college, such as the types of financial aid available, what your student loans can be used for, and how to manage college finances.

Paying for college 101

Your ultimate guide to the FAFSA®

Learn what the FAFSA is and how filling it out early can benefit you and your finances as you prepare for college financial aid and student loans.

Understanding the average college tuition and how much college really costs

Learn about what factors influence the cost of college and how they are broken down. See how your college decision might affect the annual costs.

What’s the difference between private and federal student loans?

Confused about the difference between federal and private student loans? Learn the basics with Discover Student Loans including how they work and how to apply.
Your ultimate guide to the FAFSA®
Understanding the average college tuition and how much college really costs
What’s the difference between private and federal student loans?

Monthly Reminder:

    january

    Early decision deposits are due in February

    Contact your school’s financial aid office to confirm when you need to submit enrollment deposits for early decision admissions.

    Finish your FAFSA®

    Because funds are first come, first served, make sure you file your FAFSA as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on scholarships, grants, or other financial aid. Check with your school’s financial aid office for deadlines.

    Keep up the scholarship search

    There’s still time to apply for new scholarships. Try our free scholarship search tool to help you find more.

    february

    Financial aid award letters may start rolling in early

    It’s super exciting! Your acceptance and award letters are coming soon so be on the lookout for them in your mail or email.

    Create a college budget

    Get a head start on creating a budget. It can also be helpful to consider opening a bank account if you haven’t already to start saving money.

    Keep the financial aid office in the loop

    If your family’s financial circumstances have changed since you submitted the FAFSA, let the financial aid offices know and provide any requested documentation.

    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.

    march

    Compare award letters

    Acceptances and award letters are likely arriving for regular decision. Use our award letter comparison tool to help you compare them.

    Report any scholarships you received

    Scholarships may change your financial aid package. Let the financial aid office know about any scholarships you have received.

    Negotiate or appeal your financial aid award

    It’s possible to appeal a financial aid package if your dream college did not award you enough money or your financial circumstances have changed. Contact your schools to start the negotiation process. 

    april

    Talk finances with your family

    With your acceptance letters in hand, it’s a good time to continue your conversation about how you will pay for college and talk about private student loans.

    Ask about scholarships

    Keep looking for scholarships and ask your counselor for any opportunities you may not know about.

    Pay your deposit

    The deadline to pay your enrollment deposit is around the corner. You have until May 1 (Decision Day) to choose which school you’ll be attending in the fall and submit your deposit.

    may

    Consider other campus expenses

    You’ve made the big choice, now come the smaller ones. It’s time to look at housing and meal plans. Compare your options to understand how they affect your cost of college.

    Turn work into scholarships

    Some jobs offer part-time employees access to scholarships or tuition assistance. Ask your employer about any tuition assistance programs that may be available to you.

    Check in with the financial aid office

    Double-check that the office has received all your financial aid documentation and that there are no outstanding items left to submit. 

    june

    Complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement

    If you plan to accept federal student loans, make sure you complete the Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov.

    Sign up for direct deposit

    Most colleges issue financial aid and tuition refunds straight to your bank account. Enrolling in your school’s direct deposit process will ensure you receive your refunds quickly and safely.

    Get working

    Working a summer job will not only get you more work experience but it will also help you save money and pay for college expenses.

    july

    Compare private student loans

    Many families use private student loans to cover remaining college costs. Do your homework before selecting a student loan and lender.

    Get summer scholarships

    Continue to search for scholarships. The slow summer season might make it easier to find and receive more free money.

    Pay for your tuition bill

    Make sure to get your payment in before the due date if you haven’t already paid it.

    august

    Apply for a private student loan

     If you still need money to cover college costs, apply for a private student loan before tuition is due.

    Continue saving your hard-earned dollars

    It’s important to keep saving to help with any last-minute expenses you weren’t expecting.

    Pay your tuition bill

    Pay your tuition if you haven’t already. This is your last step before going to college. 

    september

    Talk finances with your family

    Talk with your family about college expenses, including what they plan to contribute. It can also be helpful to discuss loan repayment and cosigning. 

    Get ready for the FAFSA®

    For the 2024-25 academic year, the FAFSA will be available in December 2023. Colleges use it to award financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    Search for scholarships

    Ask your guidance counselor for recommendations on where to find and apply for scholarships. Need help finding available scholarships? Try our free scholarship search tool.

    Go to a financial aid workshop

    Sign up for any college admissions planning or financial aid workshops your school offers. These events are helpful for parents and guardians, too.

    october

    Prepare for the FAFSA®

    The FAFSA typically becomes available on October 1. For the 2024-25 academic year, it’s being released in December due to the FAFSA Simplification Act, which will make the process less complicated for students and families.

    Understand the FAFSA changes

    Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, the Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This will be used to calculate how much need-based federal aid you’re eligible to receive.

    Complete the CSS Profile®

    Certain colleges and scholarship programs use the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for their aid dollars. Visit College Board® for more details. 

    Keep searching for scholarships

    Ask your guidance counselor for recommendations on where to find and apply for scholarships. Need help finding available scholarships? Try our free scholarship search tool.

    november

    Prepare for the FAFSA®

    Colleges use the FAFSA to award financial aid and do so on a first-come, first-serve basis. For the 2024-25 academic year, the FAFSA will be available in December 2023. Gather tax information, asset records, Social Security numbers, and federal school codes.

    Complete the CSS Profile®

    Certain colleges and scholarship programs use the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for their aid dollars. Visit College Board® for more details.

    Find new scholarships

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

    december

    Complete your FAFSA®

    Because funds are first come, first served, make sure you file your FAFSA as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on scholarships, grants, or other financial aid. Check with your school’s financial aid office for deadlines.

    Review your FAFSA Submission Summary

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

    Check back with your family about paying for college

    College is a big financial commitment. Continue the money talk with your family and ask lots of questions to make sure you understand their contribution and your financial options.

    Apply for scholarships

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

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    Helpful terms to know

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    Financial Aid Package

    The total amount of monetary assistance a student is eligible to receive including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans available from school, state, and federal programs, as listed in a college's financial aid award letter. It does not include private student loans.

    Private Student Loan

    A student loan that is provided by private lenders, banks, or other financial institutions where the student is the primary borrower. This loan supplements other financial aid and help students meet the full cost of an education.

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