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Put your college planning on track

When it comes to paying for college first look for money you won’t have to pay back (scholarships and grants). Then explore federal student loans. Finally, consider a responsible private student loan to cover the rest.


Scholarships


Financial aid

Education
Student loans

Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program

Helping outstanding high school students like Jobany overcome financial obstacles and make college happen.

Meet all our scholarship winners
Jobany Snack FNL

Tools to help you plan and pay

Learn about the
1-2-3 approach

Explore how you can follow a step-by-step method to pay for college.

See the 1-2-3 approach to paying

Build a customized
financial plan for college

Our college planning calculator can estimate college costs, based on your situation.

Make a plan for college

Search for
scholarships

Access more than 5 million college scholarships worth up to $24 billion.

Search for scholarships

Stay up to date

Looking for financial aid?

Financial aid for college starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Stay up-to-date on all things FAFSA with our tips and info.

Learn about the FAFSA

Nominate your student for a $25,000 scholarship

Nine students’ futures have already changed after they each received our $25,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship. This year, we’re helping send a new group of deserving students to college.

Learn about our scholarship program

You could win $1,000 in our monthly sweepstakes

Register to use Scholarship Search for a chance to win.

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My first college visit was the summer before junior year. Getting acceptance letters really brought home the college visits for me. I was like ‘Oh, I could go to this school I just saw.'

Molly K.,
College class of ‘18

How American families pay for college

35

is paid by scholarships and grants

is paid by parent income and savings

is paid by student borrowing

is paid by student income and savings

is paid by parent borrowing

Source: How America Pays for College 2017, by Sallie Mae and Ipsos. Top five ways; does not total 100%.

 No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See official rules at SallieMae.com/SweepstakesRules.