This list was assembled from recommendations by admissions and financial aid professionals, as well as other higher education officials. It should not, however, be taken as a formal endorsement of any particular product or service.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator
Publisher: The College Board
Address: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/expected-family-contribution-calculator
Description: Use to determine your possible EFC before filing FAFSA.
FAFSA on the Web
Publisher: U.S.Department of Education
Address: www.FAFSA.ed.gov
Description: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Must be completed yearly to determine the student’s eligibility for funding through federally based programs.
Federal Student Financial Aid Homepage
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Address: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp
Description: Best starting point for information on federal student financial aid. Includes links to publications, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and information on tax credits for education expenses.
College.gov
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Address: http://www.college.gov/wps/portal?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=
Description: This site is designed to inspire students to continue their education after high school, as well as guide them through the steps to plan and pay for college.
College Is Possible
Publisher: The Coalition of America’s Colleges and Universities
Address: www.CollegeIsPossible.org
Description: The Coalition of America’s Colleges and Universities has developed resources to help parents and students who are looking for answers about college. The Coalition Web site, www.CollegeIsPossible.org, is a “one-stop shop” with links and information on books, Web sites, and brochures recommended by admissions and financial aid professionals. Parents and students may access much of the same information by calling the U.S. Department of Education’s special toll-free number for college information, 1-800-433-3243, and requesting the College Is Possible brochure.
Preparing Your Child for College: A Resource Book for Parents
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Address: www.ed.gov/pubs/Prepare
Description: This very popular book is now available only online.
NASFAA’s C4C (Cash For College)
Publisher: National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Address: http://www.nasfaa.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=3304
Description: A NASFAA publication, offering an overview of the types of financial aid available. It also gives details on how the process works.
The College Board Homepage
Publisher: The College Board
Address: www.collegeboard.com
Description: Designed for high-school students and their parents. Includes information on SAT registration and preparation. Students can create an organizer to get deadline reminders and update a college application checklist. The CSS/Financial Aid Profile, required by many private colleges, is also here. Features information on academic and financial planning, including a savings calculator.
College Answer Homepage
Publisher: Sallie Mae
Address: www.collegeanswer.com
Description: Features interactive calculators to help families project future college prices and their expected family contribution, a scholarship search, and assistance in selecting a college.
Find Your Community College
Publisher: U.S. News and World Report and the American Association of Community Colleges
Address: www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php
Description: The publishers have produced this site to help students find the community college that best fits their needs.
ACT Assessment
Publisher: American College Testing
Address: www.act.org/aap/faq/general.html
Description: Information and registration for the ACT Assessment.
Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Cost: Free
To order: Call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/
Tax Incentives for Higher Education
Address: www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96341,00.html
Description: A summary from the IRS of a variety of tax incentives for families who are saving for, or already paying, higher education costs or are repaying student loans.
FinAid: The Smart Student™ Guide to Financial Aid
Publisher: Mark Kantrowitz
Address: www.finaid.org
Description: One-stop shopping for all types of financial aid information. Provides links to many other sites.
FastWeb
Publisher: FastWeb
Address: www.fastweb.com
Description: There are thousands of private scholarships available. This Web site boasts one of the largest free scholarship databases, with more than 400,000 listings.
CollegeNet Mach25 Scholarship Database
Publisher: CollegeNET
Address: www.collegenet.com/mach25
Description: Features more than 500,000 scholarships from 1,500 sponsoring organizations. This Web site allows students to save listings and create letters requesting more information.
The College Fund/UNCF
Publisher: The College Fund/UNCF
Address: www.uncf.org
Description: Lists scholarships available to students attending historically black colleges and universities that are members of The College Fund/UNCF.
Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Publisher: Mark Kantrowitz
Address: www.finaid.org/otheraid/disabled.phtml
Description: On this page, you’ll find information about scholarships and fellowships for students with disabilities.
Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
Publisher: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Address: www.gmsp.org
Description: Assists African-American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian-Pacific American, and Hispanic American students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs.
U.S. Department of Education
Publisher U.S. Department of Education
Address: www.ed.gov
Description: Information about federally based aid and resources.
The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
Publisher: Mark Kantrowitz
Address: http://www.finaid.org/
Description: General overview of Financial aid process and programs.
Ombudsman Office
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education
Address: https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/disputes/prepare/contact-ombudsman
Description:The Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group of the U.S. Department of Education is dedicated to helping resolve disputes related to Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans, Guaranteed Student Loans, and Perkins Loans. The Ombudsman Group is a neutral, informal, and confidential resource to help resolve disputes about your federal student loans.
