Every year, student loan debt climbs further into the stratosphere, burdening students and their families long after graduation. Yet it’s increasingly difficult to attend college without borrowing to pay for it. So, how much college debt is too much? And when does the cost of a university outweigh the advantages conferred by earning a degree?

When you first start your college search, you’ll probably hear a lot about “finding the right fit.” From campus size to majors offered to activities available, there are a number of factors that contribute to an ideal college experience. But one factor can impact your life long after you graduate: affordability. We’ll explore why you should consider financial fit in choosing a college and how to avoid the long-term ramifications of high college costs.

Does the thought of student loan debt make you break out in a cold sweat? Are you counting dollar signs at night instead of sheep? College isn’t getting any cheaper. However, you can make it more affordable by earning college scholarships.

Trying to find free money for college? Good luck with that. Advice is just about the only thing you’ll get for free. Almost everything else will cost you time and sweat equity. Here’s some advice that’s worth taking: Learning how to stand out in your scholarship applications can help you underwrite your college dreams. Here’s how it’s done.

Think you need to wait until senior year to start applying for scholarships? Think again! If you know where to look, there are, quite literally, millions of scholarship dollars available to students in grades 9-12. Our roundup shows you how to get college scholarships no matter where you are in your high school career.

Starting the financial aid process is a lot like diving into a bowl of alphabet soup. FAFSA, EFC, CSS Profile, SAR – what do they all mean? Where should you begin? What’s most important? If you want to help your child reduce the cost of college without becoming a financial aid officer, never fear. Our top six financial aid tips for parents highlight the key points to help you get the most money for college.

If you’re like most college-bound students, you’ve been focusing all your energy on admissions tasks: the right courses, SAT and ACT tests, application essays, and application deadlines. Now, it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to pay for college. Check out our top financial aid tips and little-known facts to help you get the biggest aid award possible.

Let’s face it, college is expensive. Unless money is no object, you’re probably on the hunt for ways to reduce your overall cost of attendance. Merit scholarships (aka money that doesn’t need to be repaid) can be a good option. Before you jump headlong into a scholarship search or accept any awards, find out the top things you need to know about merit aid scholarships.

College education costs are a hot topic today. With the outstanding balance on student loans in the U.S. hitting $1.53 trillion and growing in the second quarter of 2018, that’s no surprise. In fact, those loans are a big barrier to building wealth. Many recent grads say they have even decided to put off milestones such as purchasing a home. To help you dodge any costly mistakes, we put together a list with the most common financial aid terms defined.

If you’re counting on financial aid to help with college costs, you already know you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine your eligibility. What you may not know is that common FAFSA mistakes can lead to some costly consequences, including processing delays and receiving less aid than you’re entitled to. Avoid these FAFSA mistakes by preparing in advance.