Determine amount of money needed. The average amount for most undergraduates is $20,000, while some college or university students could pay up to $100,000 for their tuition. Talk with your friends in college or family members who are relatively recent college graduates to get a ballpark figure. A college counselor in high school or a visit to a financial aid advisor at the college of choice can help put a better figure on how much to apply for with student loans.
Shop around. Check out several different types of student loans. Do some research on loans such as the Stafford Loan, which is through a bank or private lender; the Perkins Loan, which is a college or university-based loan; and the PLUS Loan, which is the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students available to parents who wish to borrow from the government to pay for their child's tuition. Talking with family members or a financial aid advisor can help you decide on the best type of loan.
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as you turn 18. This should be available to you through their website (see References). Once you complete the application, submit it to your local Department of Education. If you plan to attend a college or university for the 2011-12 school year, the deadline to submit your FAFSA is June 30, 2011 at midnight Central Standard Time. You do not need to currently be enrolled in a college or university in order to submit your FAFSA.
Ask relatives if they would be willing to provide a loan to pay for college tuition if you are unable to obtain a government or private student loan. Some relatives work out lending agreements in order to assist students willing to work for their degrees. Alternatively, many companies provide loans to their employees through the Tuition Assistance Programs (TAP). Many large corporations will help their employees pay to attend a college or university. Determine if you qualify by checking with the HR department within your company.