The financial side of college comes with a vocabulary all its own. This A-to-Z guide walks through the terms and decisions families encounter most often, from opening a checking account to staying on track to graduate. A is for the checking account you'll want to open. If possible, choose a bank with locations near both home and campus, and make sure parents can easily transfer money when needed. This makes day-to-day spending much easier to manage. B is for budget. Create a

Perhaps you’ve realized that you won’t qualify for need-based aid after running net price calculator tools or an SAI tool. That can be discouraging. The good news is that many colleges award merit aid, which is money given for achievement rather than financial need. Understanding how merit aid works, how it differs from need-based aid, and how to find generous colleges can make a difference. Merit Aid vs. Need-Based Aid • Need-based aid depends on your financial situation, a

Your teen has just received their college acceptance letters, and one of those schools is their first-choice college—exciting news! But...