• PAYING FOR COLLEGE

    Covering the cost of higher education is often one of biggest concerns for families starting the college search process. It is important to not get distracted by “sticker price” and utilize the tips below for navigating the financial aid process. There is money out there to cover the cost of your education- you just have to take the steps to find it and earn it.

    Ways to cover the cost:

    • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)- This is the financial aid application used by all colleges and universities to determine the amount of federal aid/scholarships to be awarded. See FAFSA Page for more information.
    • CSS Profile- an additional form to apply for financial assistance. Some selective colleges require both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA to determine your financial aid/scholarship eligibility.
    • School-based scholarships & aid- Check with the colleges and universities to which you are applying for information about scholarships they offer. Some colleges will use your admission application for scholarship consideration, but others will require a separate scholarship application. Visit the college's Financial Aid webpages or contact their Office of Financial Aid to learn more.
    • Local & National Scholarships- Visit the scholarships tab in Xello regularly for updated listings. There are multiple search engines on the internet for scholarships. Below are a few to get you started:

                   *Never pay money for a scholarship search. Typically that is a sign of a scam.

    • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)- Students applying to WUE schools may be eligible to receive a reduced tuition rate at two and four- year college programs outside of their home state. Learn more and see a list of participating WUE schools.