The award letter details how much support the school can provide to help you pay for college.
For the schools you have been accepted to, you'll start receiving award letters as early as February, and you should have all of them by April. A letter may include grants, scholarships and work-study programs, along with eligibility for federal student loans.
Award letter templates can vary, so make sure you carefully review each letter as you compare financial aid packages from different schools.
To determine which financial aid package best meets your needs, you may want to try our Award Letter Comparison Tool, or create a document yourself that compares the financial aid from each school, including:
Did you know?
Learn the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans when you apply for a Federal Direct Loan, previously called a Direct Stafford Loan.
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.
Consider these features to help with research and student loan comparison. Learn how to compare private student loans at Discover.com.
Learn how to avoid these common mistakes when filling out the FAFSA. Submitting an application the right way can help ensure you get the most money possible.
Learn more about the Federal Work-Study Program that provides part-time jobs to help students pay for their college education.
Find out what options are available if college tuition is due but you don't have the money on hand. Examine your options to have a plan in place before tuition is due.
It helps to get organized when the time comes to pay your tuition. Discover Student Loans prepares you for what you need to know about paying college tuition.
There are options if you have to pay for college by yourself. Here are some tips on how you can pay for college without your parents' help.
