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Merit aid vs need based aid — understanding the difference between these two types of financial aid can save you thousands of dollars in college costs. Every year, colleges and the federal government award over $100 billion in grants and scholarships. Some of that money goes to students who demonstrate financial need. Table of Contents … Read more

Scholarship vs grant vs loan — these three words come up constantly when you start planning for college. However, many students and parents confuse them. Each one puts money toward your education, but they work in very different ways. Some are free money you never pay back. Table of Contents How Does Scholarship Vs Grant … Read more

529 plan for college is one of the smartest ways to save for higher education. It is a special savings account with tax advantages. The government created it to help families pay for school. Think of it like a regular savings account, but with superpowers. Your money grows without being taxed. Table of Contents How … Read more

Subsidized vs unsubsidized loans is one of the most important topics in college financial aid. Both are federal student loans offered through the U.S. Department of Education. However, they work very differently when it comes to interest. Table of Contents How Does Subsidized Vs Unsubsidized Loans Work? Key Facts About Subsidized Vs Unsubsidized Loans Why … Read more

Federal work study is a government program that gives college students part-time jobs to help pay for school. The U.S. Department of Education funds this program. It serves roughly 600,000 students at more than 3,000 campuses each year. Unlike student loans, you earn your money through actual work. Table of Contents How Does Federal Work-Study … Read more

Stafford loan guide — if you are planning for college, this is one of the most important topics to understand. A Federal Stafford Loan is a type of student loan offered by the U.S. government. It helps students pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. Today, these loans are officially called “Direct Loans.” However, most … Read more

Pell grant guide basics are something every student should learn before college. A Pell Grant is free money from the federal government. It helps students pay for college. You do not have to pay it back. That is what makes it different from student loans. Table of Contents How Does a Pell Grant Work? Your … Read more

Student aid index is the number that determines how much federal financial aid you can receive for college. It replaced the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024-25 school year. The U.S. Department of Education created the student aid index through the

Expected family contribution is a number that colleges use to figure out how much financial aid you can receive. For decades, this number has shaped every student’s aid package. It estimates what your family can reasonably pay toward college each year. The federal government calculates it based on your family’s income, assets, and household size. … Read more

CSS profile explained in simple terms: it is a financial aid form that about 400 colleges use to award their own scholarship and grant money. The College Board created the CSS Profile to give schools a detailed picture of your family’s finances. You probably already know about the FAFSA. However, the CSS Profile goes deeper. … Read more