Discover how to pay for college with the help of our financial aid guide. You will learn about why go to college, what are ways to finance your education expenses, what is FAFSA, what are sources of college financial aid and other important information on paying for college. Read our guide today.

1. How to pay for
College
FINANCIAL AID GUIDE
WWW.STUDENTAIDANSWER.COM

2. Why Go to College?
Earning Potential
Career Guidance
Self-esteem
And more…

3. Education Pays
Median Weekly Earnings, Age 25+, December 2010
National
Average
$788

4. More Education = More Money
Unemployment Level of education completed Mean (average)
rate in 2010 earnings in 2010
14.9% Less than a high school diploma $28,184
10.3% High school graduate, no college $39,988
9.2% Some college, no degree $46,228
7.0% Occupational program $46,332
7.0% Associate degree $49,764
5.4% Bachelor’s degree $72,020
4.0% Master’s degree $82,576

5. Plan to Go to College
Great! I’m planning to go to
college. But…
 What are ways to finance
education costs?
 What is financial aid?
 What is FAFSA?
 When and how to apply?
Where can I get help?

6. Ways to Finance College
 Financial Aid Programs
 529 Savings & Prepaid
Tuition Programs
 Employer Tuition Benefits
 Tuition Payment Plans

7. What Is Financial Aid?
 Financial aid refers to specific borrowed, given, or
earned money that can be obtained from various
sources to help pay for college.
 College is expensive. But financial aid makes it
affordable. There are many types of financial aid…

8. Types of Financial Aid

9. Sources of Financial Aid

10. How to Apply?
Application is the key to success! To be considered for
student aid, complete all forms required by a college.

11. Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA)
Completing a FAFSA is the first and the most important step! A
FAFSA is used to apply for state and federal financial aid
programs (loans, grants, work-study). In addition, some colleges
use it to award institutional aid. Be aware of scams, the application
is free.
How to Access FAFSA?
•Call 1-800-4-FED-AID (Paper FAFSA)
•www.FAFSA.gov (Online version)
•www.FAFSA.gov (PDF version)
When to Apply?
•First date to submit FAFSA is January, 1.
•Tip: Apply Early! Don’t play a waiting game!

12. Financial Aid Process

13. 7 Ways to Pay for College
How to get it? Do I have to repay
it?
1. Savings Save money
2. Current income or Find a job or ask for help
family support
3. Grants Apply for financial aid No
4. Scholarships Apply for financial aid No
5. Work-study Apply for financial aid No, earned
through work
6. Loans Apply for financial aid Yes, with interest
7. Community/Military Volunteer or join the military No, earned
service through service

14. Get More Help
U.S. Department of Education
Federal student aid
http://studentaid.ed.gov/
Student Aid Answer
Loans, scholarships, grants
http://www.studentaidanswer.com

15. www.StudentAidAnswer.com