On the Web, you can learn just about anything you want to know about paying for college, but it helps to know where to start. We found seven sites to get you on the right track. finaid.org This comprehensive site is packed with more information than you'll probably need, but it's the best place to start. Learn about loans and scholarships. Use a calculator for figuring your costs and needs. Get help for filling out financial aid applications. Get your questions answered in the "Ask the Advisor" section. And much, much more. fastweb.org If you're looking for college money, this is a gold mine. Boasting a searchable database of more than 600,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants and loans, this site is a free service and a great tool. You can create a personal account and search its database to find scholarships and other aid for which you might be eligible. And they'll send you e-mail updates when new information arrives. fafsa.ed.gov You can fill out the fafsa form online, saving time and paperwork in the process. This site also answers some of your questions about the process, and enables you to check on the status of your fafsa after you've filled it out and submitted it. nasfaa.org This is the official site of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. You won't find any student aid at this site, but you will find a ton of good information from the experts. Most of the site is for professionals, but if you click the "Parents & Students" link, you'll find some quizzes and checklists to help you in the financial aid search. There are more helpful hints throughout the site. scholarshipcoach.com Ben Kaplan got almost $90,000 in scholarships, enabling him to go to college for virtually no cost. He shares his secrets, and many other practical tips, on this site. Features include an "Ask the Coach" section, where you can ask your specific questions; a "Web Surfing Coach" section, a tutorial for finding scholarships on the Internet; tips for writing a better essay; and much more. ed.gov This is a great place to learn the government's take on financial aid—recent legislation, paying back loans, tax credits and more. Click on the "Financial Aid" tab to get many of your questions answered. collegeview.com This comprehensive site includes a thorough "Financial Aid & Scholarships" section in which you'll find a scholarship search and such topics as "Understanding Financial Aid," "Types of Financial Aid" and "Ask the Experts," with answers to more than 100 frequently asked questions. Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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