The Financial Aid and College Costs Checklist Helps You Plan for College Expenses

College funding checklist
If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of paying for college (and who isn’t?), our College Funding Checklist can help. Download it, save it to your desktop, and then bask in the joy as you check off each financial task.

1. Save, save, save.

_____

Start planning for college expenses. Get started with our Early Planning Guide.

_____

Invest in a college savings plan.Research 529 plans.

2. Get a plan.

_____

Estimate your college expenses. Use our College Cost Calculator.

_____

Talk with your family about paying for college. Use our Family Discussion Guide.

_____

Calculate your total family contribution.

_____

Figure out how much federal aid you may get. Estimate your eligibility with the FAFSA4caster.

3. Find free and low-cost money.

_____

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to get started now. (Or to get help filing quickly and accurately

_____

for a service fee, visit FAFSA.com)

_____

Apply for grants and scholarships.Find out how to get started.

_____

Contact your college's financial aid office.

4. Fill the gaps with a
private student loan.

_____

Estimate how much you need to borrow. Use our College Cost Calculator.

_____

Apply for an Astrive Student Loan.See what an Astrive Student Loan can offer.

5. Manage your money.

_____

Deposit college funds in your bank account at least one week before registration.

_____

Find ways to cut college costs.Get help now.

Astrive Student Loans are private student loans marketed by Union Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Opportunity Lender, and funded by SunTrust Bank. SunTrust does not fund federal loans through the Astrive Student Loan Program. Certain restrictions and limitations may apply. SunTrust Bank reserves the right to change or discontinue these programs without notice. All loan programs may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Astrive is a federally registered trademark of The First Marblehead Corporation, used by Union Federal Savings Bank and SunTrust under a license. SunTrust is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc.

Union Federal Savings Bank and The First Marblehead Corporation are not affiliates or subsidiaries of SunTrust Bank.

Save this checklist

Download a PDF version