Overview
Whether you are still in high school, are currently an undergrad or are a returning student, it's never too early to start looking for ways to pay for school. There are many options open to undergraduate students - the difficulty is determining which ones work for you.

Some students are able to pay for school entirely by way of scholarships and grants, but such situations are rare. Be prepared to borrow money through the Federal Stafford program and/or work while you attend college. If you are a dependent, then your parents may also qualify for the Federal PLUS program, so be sure to have them look into that as well.

FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be filed in order to receive any federal funding (ie. Pell Grant, Perkins and Stafford loans). Whether or not you think you will receive funding, it is a good idea to file the FAFSA every year. Most students qualify for at least a $5,500.00 Stafford loan, and may also qualify for grant and work-study eligibility.

You must file the FAFSA in order to receive any Federal loan money under the Stafford, Perkins and PLUS loan programs. To file your FAFSA online go to www.ed.gov (link will take you to a new website).

Stafford Loans
Undergraduate students can qualify for a Stafford loan without any prior credit history. The application process starts with filing the FAFSA. You will then be notified about your eligibility by way of an award letter generated by your school's financial aid office. To complete the process, you need to fill out a Promissory Note in conjunction with your school and a participating lender.

More information on how to secure your Stafford Loan

Private Loans
For many students, Federal Financial Aid will not cover all expenses, particularly when the PLUS does not apply. If this is the case, you may want to look into alternative loans.

Scholarships
Every student dreams of paying for college with a full or partial scholarship - in order to have a chance at receiving any scholarship funding, you need to be pro-active in applying.

Other Sources
Some other great sources for finding aid are high school guidance counselors and college financial aid officers. You may also want to check into the ROTC program, minority organizations and community organizations.