Student Finance

Looking for financial resources for college? Check out our articles to help you make the best online degree decisions for you and your family.

The Student’s Guide to Financial Aid and the FAFSA

The Student’s Guide to Financial Aid and the FAFSA

What is financial aid? What is the FAFSA? Learn about the different types of aid you can get for college and how to fill out the FAFSA.

portrait of Chinh Ngo

by Chinh Ngo

Updated June 30, 2023

Read Article

Paying for College

Can You Afford to Go Back to School?

You might think going back to school is too expensive, but consider these options to lessen the cost (Hint: free money).

by Staff Writers

Updated August 9, 2023

Card Thumbnail - How to Pay for College Without Student Loans

How to Pay for College Without Student Loans

There are plenty of options available if you want to avoid taking out student loans to pay for college. Learn about financial aid and savings options.

portrait of Tessa Cooper

by Tessa Cooper

Published June 9, 2022

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to Evaluating Financial Aid Award Letters

The Student’s Guide to Evaluating Financial Aid Award Letters

Learn how to read your financial aid award letter like an expert. Compare award letters from different schools to determine the best one for you.

by Staff Writers

Updated May 23, 2023

Card Thumbnail - How to Earn a Debt-Free Degree

How to Earn a Debt-Free Degree

Find out how to graduate debt-free. You don't need to go into debt to improve your life.

by Staff Writers

Updated May 23, 2023

Card Thumbnail - What Is the Pell Grant?

What Is the Pell Grant?

The Pell Grant is a form of federal aid designed to assist low-income students. Learn how to apply for the award, how much you can earn, and who is eligible.

portrait of Chinh Ngo

by Chinh Ngo

Updated March 21, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Financial Aid for LGBTQ+ College Students

Financial Aid for LGBTQ+ College Students

LGBTQ+ students can run into institutional barriers when it comes to financial aid. Find our tips for navigating grants, loans, and LGBTQ+ scholarships.

portrait of Lyss Welding

by Lyss Welding

Updated May 15, 2023

Card Thumbnail - How to Get Financial Aid for Continuing Education

How to Get Financial Aid for Continuing Education

Worried about how to afford continuing education? Understand the costs of a degree or certificate program and learn how to pay for it.

by Staff Writers

Updated June 27, 2023

Card Thumbnail - 8 Ways Moms Can Afford Going Back to School

8 Ways Moms Can Afford Going Back to School

Moms interested in going back to college shouldn't stop themselves because of the cost. Explore your options to offset tuition and childcare costs.

portrait of Kristen Grau

by Kristen Grau

Updated May 23, 2023

Card Thumbnail - 9 Ways Dads Can Afford Going Back to School

9 Ways Dads Can Afford Going Back to School

Going to school as a dad isn't easy, but it shouldn't leave you broke. Find grants for single fathers, scholarships for dads, and more savings tips.

portrait of Lyss Welding

by Lyss Welding

Updated March 22, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Can You Get Financial Aid With a Felony?

Can You Get Financial Aid With a Felony?

Convicted felons have financial aid opportunities to help pay for college both while in prison and after being released.

by Lauren Ward

Updated March 24, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Financial Aid for Military Service Members and Student Veterans

Financial Aid for Military Service Members and Student Veterans

Military service members can use veteran education benefits to pay for college. Learn how to make the most of the benefits you've earned.

portrait of Heather Mullinix

by Heather Mullinix

Updated October 17, 2023

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

The Student’s Guide to In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Learn the differences between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition and what you can do to save on the cost of your education.

by Staff Writers

Updated April 19, 2023

Student Loans

The Student’s Guide to College Loans

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to College Loans

Federal vs. Private Student Loans: What’s the Difference?

Card Thumbnail - Federal vs. Private Student Loans: What’s the Difference?

A Complete Guide to Paying Off Student Loans

Card Thumbnail - A Complete Guide to Paying Off Student Loans

A Complete Guide to Private Student Loans

Card Thumbnail - A Complete Guide to Private Student Loans

Are Loans Really That Bad? The Pros and Cons of Student Loans

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Are Loans Really That Bad? The Pros and Cons of Student Loans

How to Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How to Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

How to Pay Back Student Loans Once Payments Resume

Card Thumbnail - How to Pay Back Student Loans Once Payments Resume

How to Pay Off Student Loans Fast: 9 Useful Hacks

February 23, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How to Pay Off Student Loans Fast: 9 Useful Hacks

What Can Student Loans Be Used For?

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What Can Student Loans Be Used For?

What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Student Loans?

Card Thumbnail - What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Student Loans?

How Does Student Loan Interest Work? A Complete Guide

Card Thumbnail - How Does Student Loan Interest Work? A Complete Guide

Should You Cosign a Student Loan?

Card Thumbnail - Should You Cosign a Student Loan?

Student Loan Refinance and Consolidation Guide

December 16, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Student Loan Refinance and Consolidation Guide

This LGBTQ+ Grad Fights the System — and Her Student Loan Debt

Card Thumbnail - This LGBTQ+ Grad Fights the System — and Her Student Loan Debt

What Is an Income-Driven Repayment Plan?

Card Thumbnail - What Is an Income-Driven Repayment Plan?

11 Helpful Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

February 23, 2022

Card Thumbnail - 11 Helpful Grants to Pay Off Student Loans

Budgeting & Saving

The Student’s Guide to Budgeting in College

January 23, 2023

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to Budgeting in College

The Student’s Guide to Saving for College

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to Saving for College

Is It Cheaper to Live On or Off Campus?

Card Thumbnail - Is It Cheaper to Live On or Off Campus?

Do College Meal Plans Save Students Money?

Card Thumbnail - Do College Meal Plans Save Students Money?

A Complete Guide to Investing for College Students

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - A Complete Guide to Investing for College Students

Best Credit Cards for Students

December 14, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Best Credit Cards for Students

Adulting 101: How to Pay Bills in College

Card Thumbnail - Adulting 101: How to Pay Bills in College

7 Tips to Decorate Your Dorm on a Budget

Card Thumbnail - 7 Tips to Decorate Your Dorm on a Budget

How to Build Credit in College: 7 Essential Tips for Students

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How to Build Credit in College: 7 Essential Tips for Students

7 Useful Budgeting Tips for First-Year College Students

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - 7 Useful Budgeting Tips for First-Year College Students

8 Smart Moves That Will Help You Save Money in College

February 22, 2022

Card Thumbnail - 8 Smart Moves That Will Help You Save Money in College

How to Save for College: 10 Essential Tips

February 11, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How to Save for College: 10 Essential Tips

Scholarships

The Student’s Guide to College Scholarships and Grants

Card Thumbnail - The Student’s Guide to College Scholarships and Grants

12 Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

Card Thumbnail - 12 Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

October 4, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

Scholarships for International Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for International Students

Scholarships for Community College Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Community College Students

Scholarships for Social Work Majors

September 6, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Social Work Majors

College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

Card Thumbnail - College Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

Becas Para Estudiantes Hispanos

Card Thumbnail - Becas Para Estudiantes Hispanos

Scholarships for Adults and Nontraditional Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Adults and Nontraditional Students

Scholarships for Single Mothers & Fathers

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Single Mothers & Fathers

Scholarships for Native American Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Native American Students

Scholarships for Black and African American Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Black and African American Students

Scholarships for Women

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Women

Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students

Card Thumbnail - Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students

College Scholarships for DACA and Undocumented Students

Card Thumbnail - College Scholarships for DACA and Undocumented Students

2023 Scholarships for HBCU Students

September 29, 2023

Card Thumbnail - 2023 Scholarships for HBCU Students

Taxes

Tax Filing Guide: Filing Taxes as a Student

portrait of Lyss Welding

by Lyss Welding

Updated June 9, 2023

Card Thumbnail - Tax Filing Guide: Filing Taxes as a Student

What to Know About Tax Breaks for College Students and Parents

portrait of Stephen Gaffney

by Stephen Gaffney

Updated April 8, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What to Know About Tax Breaks for College Students and Parents

How DACA Students Pay Federal Taxes

portrait of Lyss Welding

by Lyss Welding

Published June 21, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How DACA Students Pay Federal Taxes

Can I Claim My College Student as a Dependent?

portrait of Stephen Gaffney

by Stephen Gaffney

Updated April 12, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Can I Claim My College Student as a Dependent?

Tax Quiz

Student Finance for Parents

Card Thumbnail - A Complete Guide to the FAFSA for Parents

A Complete Guide to the FAFSA for Parents

portrait of Kristen Grau

by Kristen Grau

Published June 10, 2022

Card Thumbnail - A Complete Guide to Parent PLUS Loans

A Complete Guide to Parent PLUS Loans

portrait of Lyss Welding

by Lyss Welding

Published June 9, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Saving for Your Child’s College Education

Saving for Your Child’s College Education

by Staff Writers

Updated May 23, 2023

All Financial Planning Resources

Card Thumbnail - 529 Plan vs. Roth IRA for College Savings

529 Plan vs. Roth IRA for College Savings

portrait of Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

by Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

Published September 9, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What Is a Coverdell ESA?

What Is a Coverdell ESA?

by Lauren Ward

Updated November 21, 2022

Card Thumbnail - Should Your Student Be an Authorized User on Your Credit Card?

Should Your Student Be an Authorized User on Your Credit Card?

portrait of Danika Miller

by Danika Miller

Published September 7, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What to Do When Your Parents Refuse to Fill Out the FAFSA

What to Do When Your Parents Refuse to Fill Out the FAFSA

by Lauren Ward

Published September 7, 2022

Card Thumbnail - FAFSA Simplified Needs Test vs. Auto-Zero EFC

FAFSA Simplified Needs Test vs. Auto-Zero EFC

portrait of Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

by Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

Published September 7, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What Is EFC? How Does It Affect Financial Aid?

What Is EFC? How Does It Affect Financial Aid?

portrait of Whitney Sandoval

by Whitney Sandoval

Published September 7, 2022

Card Thumbnail - What Happens to Student Loans When You Drop Out?

What Happens to Student Loans When You Drop Out?

by Lauren Ward

Published September 7, 2022

Card Thumbnail - 20 Scholarships for High ACT and SAT Scores

20 Scholarships for High ACT and SAT Scores

by Blake Weil

Published September 6, 2022

Card Thumbnail - How to Get a Closed School Discharge

How to Get a Closed School Discharge

portrait of Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

by Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.

Updated March 7, 2023

Previous

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
…
24

Next

Our Editorial Policy and Standards

Accuracy and editorial integrity are just a few of the values we at BestColleges pledge to uphold for the students who rely on us. We are committed to providing students with the educational resources they need to achieve their goals.

Editorial