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Top 10 tips to help pay for college

By Beth Ziehmer

January 31, 2014

10. Save for college.
If you haven't already done so, you should begin saving for college immediately. Even if you are going to college in the fall, you can still begin saving now to help cover some of the costs, such as your first semester's books. You have a variety of options available to make the most of your savings.
mappingyourfuture.org/saving/

9. Use education loyalty and affinity programs.
Loyalty and affinity programs allow you to save for college by shopping at certain stores, buying particular products, or using a designated credit or debit card.
mappingyourfuture.org/saving/affinity.htm

8. Explore financial aid options.
Financial aid is one of the tools that make higher education possible for many students. It may mean being able to continue your education when you otherwise would not be able. Or it could mean being able to attend the school of your choice despite higher tuition costs.
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/financialaid.htm

7. Review your eligibility for federal financial aid.
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/eligibility.htm

6. Apply for financial aid.
The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which collects information about your financial situation, as well as your family's financial situation.
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/fafsa.htm

5. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/sar.htm

4. Find scholarships and grants and consider work-study programs.
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/scholarships.htm and mappingyourfuture.org/paying/workstudy.htm

3. Consider borrowing student loans (should be your last resort).
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/studentloans.htm

2. Claim tax credits and deductions for education.
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/taxcredit.htm

And the number 1 tip for paying for college is . . .
Review your award letter and only accept the financial aid you need.