Paying for college and other education after high school

Education after high school can cost tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and transportation, but what families actually pay, the net price after financial aid, is often much less than the listed price, and each college's net price calculator gives an estimate. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key form: it determines eligibility for federal grants such as the need-based Pell Grant, work-study jobs, and federal student loans, and many states and colleges use it too. Grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid, while loans do. Federal student loans generally have fixed interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans, so it usually makes sense to use them before private ones, and to borrow only what is needed. Ways to lower costs include starting at a community college and transferring, attending an in-state public school, applying for many scholarships, or choosing apprenticeships, trade school, or military service.

This explanation is AI-generated and can occasionally be wrong. 🚩 Report