How America Pays for College 2025
Sallie Mae's national study of college students and parents
Conducted by Ipsos
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Key takeaways from How America Pays for College 2025
The How America Pays for College 2025 report reveals how families are financing higher education and the factors influencing their decisions.
Watch the video below for key highlights and insights from this year’s report.
Apply for scholarships early and often
3 in 4 recipients say scholarships made college possible—yet 40% of families didn’t apply due to a lack of awareness or the belief they wouldn’t win. There are scholarships out there for all kinds of students and interests.
Explore scholarships based on your major, background, and more with Scholly® Scholarships.
Start your planning with outcomes in mind
Fewer than half (46%) of families talked about the full cost of college, but those who created a plan to pay for all years felt more confident.
Check out the many resources Sallie Mae offers to help you plan for college.
Additional resources
Join the conversation with #HowAmericaPays
How America Pays for College 2025 reports the results of online interviews Ipsos conducted in English reflects the results of an online survey, conducted in English, between April 8, 2025 and May 8, 2025, with 1,000 parents of undergraduate students, and 1,000 undergraduate students ages 18 to 24.
FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid