Want to learn more about paying for school?

Most students are confused about paying for school and their parents are, too.  The Federal government provides more than $80 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance.  For many families, their portion of federal aid isn’t enough.  If you are considering loans, know that all loans are not the same.

You Have to Apply to Be Eligible

Start with scholarships and grants.  You typically will have to apply to receive scholarships or grants.  The Internet is a great place to start – just be wary of sites that charge a fee to process your application.  You can start researching these even before you apply to schools.  Find scholarships today at ScholarshipExperts.com - providing US & international students with customized scholarship info!

Federal student aid is available only to students who apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.  You'll need to apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN to submit your FAFSA, which is your electronic signature.  Embark has a FAFSA Worksheet tool to help you get started!

What's Next?

It takes awhile for the FAFSA to be processed.  If you'd like an estimate as to what you’ll receive, check out Embark’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator.  Your EFC is what you are expected to pay towards your education expenses.  The difference between the cost of attending your school and your EFC is an estimate of what your financial aid award will be.

Learn more about Federal Loans and Private Loans to cover the difference.

Not all federal loans are the same.  Not all private loans are the same. 
Compare lender offers with an APR or monthly payment calculator.  These calculators account for any origination/processing fees as well as different interest rates.  A 1% interest rate reduction on a $10,000 loan saves you about $3,000 over the loan life!

“I’m Still Confused”

Embark.com has dozens of articles to help ease your worries on topics such as scholarships, common financial aid lingo, and student loan clarification.  Find financial aid definitions here.