Planning for College

College access is the key to a brighter future, but where can students and families begin the process? Take the mystery out of higher education by understanding how financial aid works and how you can make it work for you.

According to Inside Higher Ed, the average cost of a private 4-year college for the 2007 – 2008 academic year was over $30,000, while public 4-year colleges cost more than $16,000. Even 2-year programs are expensive, averaging nearly $5,500 a year.

However, with proper planning, college or career school can be within reach. Start by looking into grants and scholarships, look into Work-Study, assistantships, and other employment options, and learn about different kinds of student loans.

Whether you are completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), interpreting your aid report, financing your education, or repaying your federal loans, American Student Assistance^® (ASA) can help.

You can also visit the National Student Loan Data System, which is the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) central database for student aid.