A parent’s guide to paying for college.

You don’t need to have done this before. Here’s the whole thing in plain language — the words, the deadlines, how to help, and the money myths that make families give up too soon.

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You don’t have to be an expert

Your encouragement matters more than your expertise. You don’t need to have gone to college, or know the forms, to make a real difference. This page covers the essentials in plain language.

The words, in plain language

FAFSA The free federal form that decides most financial aid. Filing it is the single most important money step — and it’s free. Beware sites that charge for it.
Pell Grant Free federal money (up to ~$7,395/year) that never has to be paid back, for families with financial need.
Net price What a college ACTUALLY costs your family after grants and scholarships — not the big “sticker price.” Always compare net price, not sticker price.
Grant/scholarship vs. loan Grants and scholarships are gifts you keep. Loans must be paid back with interest. A school can look “generous” while its offer is mostly loans — read carefully.
In-state tuition A much lower price for Arizona residents. Arizona students who attended an AZ high school can qualify — including undocumented students (Prop 308).

The deadlines that matter

FAFSA — file as early as it opens (usually October) Some aid is first-come, first-served. Early filing can mean more money.
College applications — fall of senior year Early deadlines are often November 1; regular deadlines run December–January.
Scholarships — all year Many close in fall and winter of senior year, but local awards run into spring.
Enrollment deposit — usually May 1 The date your student commits to one school. Compare offers before this.

How to actually help

Ask, don’t take over Owning the process builds the skills your student needs. Ask “what’s your next deadline?” instead of doing it for them.
Go to the free events FAFSA nights and counselor workshops are free and demystify everything. Going together helps.
Lean on the school counselor They do this every year and can hand you forms, fee-waiver codes, and answers. They’re your best free resource.
Celebrate the small wins A finished essay, a sent application, a $500 local scholarship — momentum is everything.

Money myths that cost families

These beliefs make families give up before they start. None of them are true.

“We make too much to get any aid.” — Not necessarily. Aid depends on income, family size and the school’s price (the FAFSA no longer counts how many family members are in college). File the FAFSA anyway; many middle-income families qualify for something, and scholarships don’t depend on income at all.
“Loans are the only way.” — No. Scholarships (free money), the community-college transfer path, and living at home can cut the cost dramatically — often for the same degree.
“Undocumented students can’t go to college.” — False, in Arizona. Arizona’s Proposition 308 lets students who attended an AZ high school pay in-state tuition regardless of immigration status, and many scholarships don’t require citizenship.
“It’s too late.” — Almost never. There are scholarships with spring and summer deadlines, and starting late beats not starting. The next deadline is the one that counts.

Free tools to use together

Everything here is free and private — nothing is sold or uploaded.

Estimate your aid See your likely Pell Grant from your income and family size.
Find aid you might be missing Surface options many families never hear about.
Make a one-page money plan Put scholarships, the gap, and each offer on one printable sheet for your conversation.

Open the step-by-step money guide

For your student

The step-by-step money guide Find aid you might be missing For families

The words, in plain language

FAFSA The free federal form that decides most financial aid. Filing it is the single most important money step — and it’s free. Beware sites that charge for it.

Pell Grant Free federal money (up to ~$7,395/year) that never has to be paid back, for families with financial need.

Net price What a college ACTUALLY costs your family after grants and scholarships — not the big “sticker price.” Always compare net price, not sticker price.

Grant/scholarship vs. loan Grants and scholarships are gifts you keep. Loans must be paid back with interest. A school can look “generous” while its offer is mostly loans — read carefully.

In-state tuition A much lower price for Arizona residents. Arizona students who attended an AZ high school can qualify — including undocumented students (Prop 308).

The deadlines that matter

FAFSA — file as early as it opens (usually October) Some aid is first-come, first-served. Early filing can mean more money.

College applications — fall of senior year Early deadlines are often November 1; regular deadlines run December–January.

Scholarships — all year Many close in fall and winter of senior year, but local awards run into spring.

Enrollment deposit — usually May 1 The date your student commits to one school. Compare offers before this.

How to actually help

Ask, don’t take over Owning the process builds the skills your student needs. Ask “what’s your next deadline?” instead of doing it for them.

Go to the free events FAFSA nights and counselor workshops are free and demystify everything. Going together helps.

Lean on the school counselor They do this every year and can hand you forms, fee-waiver codes, and answers. They’re your best free resource.

Celebrate the small wins A finished essay, a sent application, a $500 local scholarship — momentum is everything.

Money myths that cost families

These beliefs make families give up before they start. None of them are true.

“We make too much to get any aid.” — Not necessarily. Aid depends on income, family size and the school’s price (the FAFSA no longer counts how many family members are in college). File the FAFSA anyway; many middle-income families qualify for something, and scholarships don’t depend on income at all.

“Loans are the only way.” — No. Scholarships (free money), the community-college transfer path, and living at home can cut the cost dramatically — often for the same degree.

“Undocumented students can’t go to college.” — False, in Arizona. Arizona’s Proposition 308 lets students who attended an AZ high school pay in-state tuition regardless of immigration status, and many scholarships don’t require citizenship.

“It’s too late.” — Almost never. There are scholarships with spring and summer deadlines, and starting late beats not starting. The next deadline is the one that counts.

Free tools to use together

Everything here is free and private — nothing is sold or uploaded.

Estimate your aid See your likely Pell Grant from your income and family size.

Find aid you might be missing Surface options many families never hear about.

Make a one-page money plan Put scholarships, the gap, and each offer on one printable sheet for your conversation.

Open the step-by-step money guide

A parent’s guide to paying for college.

You don’t have to be an expert

The words, in plain language

The deadlines that matter

How to actually help

Money myths that cost families

Free tools to use together

Related guides · For families

A parent’s guide to paying for college.

You don’t have to be an expert

The words, in plain language

The deadlines that matter

How to actually help

Money myths that cost families

Free tools to use together

Related guides · For families