If you are the parent of a current or future college student, you may have a gap between the cost of college and your family's available funds. Grants and scholarships are the ideal way to fill that gap. But when free money falls short and families decide to borrow, many parents turn to Nellie Mae for Federal PLUS Loans, then for private loans.Understand your paying-for-college options Nellie Mae helps parents be brilliant about borrowing by offering federal and private student loans that help pay for college. Your family will find Nellie Mae's loan process is clear, fast, and easy.
Start by comparing different ways to borrow for your child's education.
Nellie Mae's PREP program can help
Financing Your Child's Future: A parent's guide to planning and paying for college Download Nellie Mae's guide (PDF, 1.41MB) and explore the pros and cons of many college financing options, including Federal PLUS Loans for parents, private student loans, home equity loans, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, consumer education loans, liquidating investments, 529 savings plans, tuition payment plans, credit cards, and more. It's brilliant information to help you decide what makes sense for your family.
How financially literate is your student? Nellie Mae's Debt Management EDvisor can help. Encourage your child to sign up for this free money management tool with cash-saving ideas to help your him or her graduate in great financial shape!
Calculators: Number crunching made easier! Use Nellie Mae's calculators to help you make informed decisions about paying for school, planning and budgeting, estimating borrowing costs, and evaluating repayment options.
Scholarship Rule #1: Your student has to apply. The Internet is a marvelous resource when looking for scholarships, but the most productive leads may be in your community, social, and personal networks. There is less competition for local scholarships so ask around.
Hours of online scholarship research is wasted unless your child actually completes and submits scholarship applications. Stick to free and targeted search sites like www.CollegeAnswer.com.
