Family College Resources

Why Hire a Consultant

Deborah Shames outlines the advantages of working with an academic consultant in "Why Hire a Consultant".

Web Sites

US Department of Education:
Federal student aid - the source for free information, guidance and tools for federal student assistance—from the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal Student Aid
Grant opportunities -Discretionary Grant Application Packages
College Navigator - research various colleges in the US
 
FAFSA Form - the Federal financial aid form used by schools
Profile Form - a financial aid form used by some private colleges
 
Financing College:
Finaid (free) - the smart student guide to financial aid. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools - on or off the web.
 
Student Loans:
National Student Loan Data System - summarizes an individual's federal student loans
Direct Consolidation Loans - where you can go to consolidate federal student loans
Federal Student Loans - Students and parents can apply for federal student loans
 
College Data:
US News rankings: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges
Free college stats (USNews.com premium has more and better, though.) http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
  
College Savings Plans:
529 Plans - information on state 529 plans
 
 

Timeline

The timing of how to get your college bound student into the right college can seem daunting at best when you first start to consider it. For a timeline of when to do what, consult our college entrance timeline.

 

Book List

Glossary

This is a glossary specific to college admission and financial terminology