How do I pay for college?
Hi Andre! I’m really happy to be in college now, but wow—it was kind of scary at first thinking about how to pay for everything.
I know what you mean, Maria. College isn’t just about tuition. You also have to think about books, fees, food, a place to live, and even how you’ll get to school. It adds up!
That’s why I looked into financial aid. But at first, I didn’t know what that really meant. What’s the difference between financial aid, scholarships, and loans?
Good question! “Financial aid” is the big word that includes different types of help to pay for college. It can be:
- Scholarships, which are free money for school—usually because of good grades or talents.
- Grants, which are also free money, usually based on your family’s income.
- And loans, which are money you borrow and must pay back later—with interest.
Ohh, I get it now. So it’s better to get scholarships and grants, and be really careful with loans, right?
Exactly! And here’s something important: only federal student loans—loans from the government—are part of your official financial aid package when you fill out the FAFSA. They usually have low interest and better payment plans.
Wait—so what about other loans?
Those are called private loans, and they come from banks or companies. They’re not part of the FAFSA, and their terms can be very different—sometimes with higher interest or stricter rules. You should only use private loans if you really need them and understand how they work.
Wait—what’s FAFSA?
It stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s an online form that asks about your family’s finances to figure out how much help you can get. Almost every type of federal aid—grants, work-study, and low-interest loans—starts with FAFSA. Filling it out is the very first step if you want any financial help for college.
Got it! I also found out about something called Work-Study—that lets you work part-time while going to school, right?
Yes! If you qualify, you can get a campus job and earn money to help with your costs. Work-Study is great because it’s flexible, and your bosses know you’re a student first.
I filled out the FAFSA, and then I also did the state form. That helped me get more aid, so I didn’t need to borrow too much.
Good move! States like New Jersey and New York have great programs. Some students can even go to community college for free. And if you qualify, you might get programs like NJ STARS or the Excelsior Scholarship.
My cousin is using a state program, and she doesn’t pay anything for tuition!
That’s awesome. Also, some people—like me—get special aid. Since I’m a veteran, I can use my military benefits to help pay for college.
One thing I tell everyone is: talk to the financial aid office! They helped me understand my award letter and what I needed to do next.
That’s great advice. They’ll also let you know if you’re missing documents, and they can help you figure out how to pay what’s left—whether it’s a payment plan or a loan.
So the main steps are: 1) Fill out the FAFSA, 2) Look for scholarships and grants, 3) Ask about state help, and 4) Talk to the financial aid office if you’re confused.
Perfect summary, Maria. College can be expensive, but with good planning and support, you don’t have to go into big debt.
You got it. Let’s keep working hard—and keep asking questions!
Now that you’ve learned about paying for college, it’s time to explore who can guide and assist you through the process.
Learn about the offices to know!
If you’d like more information, feel free to reach out to Kean University. (Kean and NJCU signed an agreement to merge the two universities by July 2026. More information here).
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Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only. It does not provide advice on individual cases, nor should users expect it to expedite or influence the admissions process at any institution. The site does not reflect the official views or policies of Kean University.