“How will I pay for college?” That’s a question that everyone considering higher education is asking. Investigating your financial aid options can seem overwhelming, especially if no one in your family has ever been to college.
Here are some great resources to help you learn what options are available to you.
- Your high school counselor. Counselors love talking about college—college preparation, choosing a college and financial aid options. Make an appointment with your counselor soon!
- The financial aid office at your school(s) of interest. Each college, technology center and career school is different. Be sure to speak with someone in Financial Aid at each school you are considering to find out what types of aid you may be able to receive at their school.
- Internet resources.
- Visit UCanGo2.org and OKcollegestart.org, where you’ll find tons of information about planning, preparing and paying for college. Don’t forget to read Are You Looking for Money? at UCanGo2.org.
- StudentAid.ed.gov is a tremendous resource for you to use. Be sure to investigate Types of Aid and FAFSA Process: Applying for Aid pages while you’re there.
- The FAFSA. The first step in applying for many different types of aid is completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it’s available! Students who will be attending college during the 2017-2018 school year can apply now at FAFSA.gov. You’ll need to wait until Oct. 1, 2017 to apply for financial aid for the 2018-2019 school year.