The amounts and types of financial aid you receive are determined through federal, state and institutional guidelines. Most federal financial aid is based on financial need.
Grants are awarded through federal, state and institutional sources and are generally based on financial need. Grants are "gift" assistance and do not need to be repaid.
Scholarships are provided through the university, corporations, private donors and the college. Scholarships are "gift" assistance and do not need to be repaid.
Work-Study (student employment) is offered through the college. Student employees work on or off-campus and are paid an hourly rate for work performed.
Federal student loans are offered at low-interest rates and can be repaid over an extended period of time, generally after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits).
10 Freshman Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
How to avoid scholarship scams and other helpful tips for getting to college
GPA Converter - What is my GPA on a 4.0 scale? This calculator will give you a good estimate.
Texas Common Application - for 4-year universities in Texas
Common Application - for all 4-year universities
Peterson's College Information - a website that allows users to search through a database of colleges and universities by programs offered as well as scholarships offered
Automatic College Admission - What will it take for you to be automatically admitted to a particular school?
Adventures in Education - a good college planning website that includes financial aid and money management tips
My Majors - helps users find colleges that offer certain degrees and majors Find your Major
My Road to College - College Board's career and college planning site Careers to Explore, Plan for College, Pay for College, College board parent/student live sessions
My Next Move - browse careers, education requirements, salary potential What do you want to do for a living
Khan Academy - an online resource covering how to navigate the college application process, write a winning application essay, get financial aid, decide what school is best for you, and more Get help on how to fill out College Applications
Chegg - search free scholarships - Noteworthy is the Chegg College Admissions which lets applicants build a portfolio to showcase themselves beyond standardized test scores. Apply for scholarships
Cappex - Use this college search to find and compare tuition, admissions information, and what scholarships are available to you. Noteworthy is the Campus Reviews Search which offers more than a million campus reviews by students who have attended the schools. Compare Tuition prices
College Scorecard - offers a way for users to compare colleges and universities. Compare Colleges scorecard
Scholarship Websites:
Large Scholarship Opportunities:
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Foundation:
Horatio Alger Association Scholarship:
College Board Scholarship Opportunities: Scholarship Opportunity
Best Colleges in the United States