SallieMae - CollegeAnswer.com

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Answers to all your paying-for-college questions, courtesy of education loan giant Sallie Mae. Start by reading up on the all-important FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and avail yourself of the copious checklists and calculators. Use the School Affordability Analyzer to calculate what your actual costs might be, and the Award Analyzer to compare packages from each school. Read about how to evaluate a loan provider (compare interest rates and customer service), then click over to the lender locator to find one near you. Search the database of more than 2.4 million scholarships worth more than 14 billion dollars (powered by Scholarship Experts database). Using the Search for Schools function (powered by Peterson's database), you can compare up to three schools side by side, including tuition costs, nearest airport and the percent of students with full-time job offers within six months of graduation. Most of the site is also available in Spanish.

BEST: The Education Savings Comparison Chart provides side-by-side information on the 529 savings plan, Coverdell Education Savings Plans, Series I savings bonds and more. The chart compares tax advantages, income restrictions and who--parent, student or otherwise--has control over the account.