Financial Aid for college?

[95langy]

Anyone here know much about financial aid and college tuition? I have been briefed about it many times in school, but I'm still uneasy about the funding I'd be able to provide, and I don't want to rely heavily on loans D: It's summer, and I'll be a senior in high school when fall comes. I researched a bit about the college I'd like to go to, and there was the "annual published college cost BEFORE financial aid" displayed on a website ( I think it was collegeboard?) and the total was around 32,000!! I know it says before financial aid, but its quite the amount. Anyone have an idea of how much financial aid one can get? I know it depends on one's parent's income, but anyone know any approximations? Like a family with X amount of income generally get X amount of financial aid?

[ULuvCeCe]

Your safest bet is to just file a FASFA and see what you can get. I did that, applied for ridiculous scholarships, only got one but didn't have to pull out too much on loans. If you end up w/loans make sure you get government ones that you start paying after you graduate (think it's 6 months after) and typically you have 10 years and the interest rate can get as low as 1.5%, they do discounts for autopay, paying more than the min etc. And if you ever decide to go back to school then you won't have to pay on those until you are out of school again. Unlike personal b/c then they want their money all the time and interest rates are terrible!

[ernica96]

and you could also go to scholarships.com to see what scholarships you're eligible for.

[95langy]

Thanks I believe I'll be relying heavily on financial aid and scholarships. Hopefully it works out! I'll be applying for college and FASFA in a few months!

[Trace321]

Loans aren,t a bad thing as long as you keep in under control. The government gives you many ways to pay them back and there will be even more

options by the time your done. Like joining the national guard, the peace corps, or working in the public sector for 10 years. This will all pay off your

student loans.

[rmendoza1]

I would just apply for FAFSA and see how much I could get. You should also look up grants for your state if you're going to be going to a public college in your state. You can also go to the sallie mae website and check out their loans. Be sure to ask each college that you are considering what type of financial aid they offer.