Free Resources - to help you on your college admisssions journey

Pocket Guides

Pocket Guide to College Financial Aid

College Financial Aid refers to money from a variety of sources used to help pay college costs. Our 10-page Pocket Guide helps you understand Financial Aid Lingo, Forms, Formulas, and Sources. Get started on your way to navigating college financial aid with confidence! Download PDF

Pocket Guide to College Success for Students with Learning Differences

More than 6 million students have been diagnosed with some sort of barrier to learning that makes school more difficult for them. Low college graduation rates among students with LDs are caused, in part, to both financial difficulty and how well the particular school serves the needs of an individual student. This guide supplements our blogs and other free resources with information specifically aimed at helping students with learning differences understand how to match the level and types of services and assistance they need with schools that can provide the bedrock for their college success. Download PDF

Infographics

Understand Net Price

Net Price is the amount of money you are responsible to pay annually towards the cost of attending college. Learn about Net Price, what goes into it, what affects it, and how to calculate it, with our handy infographic. Download PDF

How to Assess Reach, Match, Safety

Reach, Match, and Safety have to do with the likelihood of your acceptance to a college. Learn what these terms mean and how to realistically measure your odds at any college of interest with this useful infographic. Download PDF

Estimate of SAI Based on Parent Income

Your SAI is the minimum amount your family is expected to contribute each year toward college costs, based on an analysis of your family’s income and assets as reported on the FAFSA. The lower your SAI, the more need-based aid you qualify for, including federal, state, and college grants and federal Work-Study. Parent income typically has the largest impact on the size of the SAI as shown in this graphic. Download PDF

What is the COA?

EFC is “Expected Family Contribution,” and the minimum amount of money your family is expected to pay each year toward college costs. This infographic provides a snapshot of EFC estimates based on parent income alone. Download PDF

Apply with Purpose

College financial aid is not an isolated system.The financial aid you get and what you end up paying for college depend on how well you navigate all the steps of the college admissions process. Download PDF

Other Resources

Making the Most of Your College Fair

College Fairs are a great opportunity to gather information and talk with Admissions Counselors from a wide range of schools. But don’t go to one before checking out our 9 tips to help you make the most of this experience. Download PDF

Guide to The Common Data Set

There are many sources of college data on the internet, but the most comprehensive information about a college can be found in its most recent Common Data Set. This guide outlines how each participating college’s data is presented in the Common Data Set. Download PDF

Application Expenses Worksheet

Application costs can add up fast, but you can control them with thoughtful planning and budgeting. This worksheet helps you keep track of, and evaluate at a glance, the application expenses you may be facing. Download PDF

Financial Aid Award Comparison Worksheet

Financial aid award letters can look different from each other making it hard to figure out your net price at each school. This worksheet will help you decipher your letters and compare your awards dollar-for-dollar. Download PDF

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