Timeline
Graduate
Once you finish your undergraduate studies, you may decide to continue with your post-secondary education at the graduate or professional college level. Graduate/professional school is a significant investment that can pay high returns. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be completed based on your financial information (parent information will not be included as it was in your undergraduate years) and is used to obtain financial assistance for your graduate studies. Action items you should consider:
- Research the graduate programs that interest you. Talk with your undergraduate faculty about colleges and their programs.
- Contact the college admissions office to learn about the admissions requirements. Most programs require an entrance test for admissions.
- Research placement rates and salaries in your field by contacting the Career Services Office at the colleges you are considering.
- Get a handle on your personal finances. Be debt savvy by understanding how to manage your expenses, protect your credit score, and borrow wisely.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — http://www.fafsa.ed.gov — as early in the year as possible. Some of the aid available is limited so the sooner you apply the better your chances are to receive it.
- Contact the financial aid office at the college(s) you are interested in attending to learn about financial aid for graduate/professional study.
- Check out scholarships and/or grants available for graduate studies. If additional funding will be needed to pay for your education, consider federal student loans. As a graduate student, you may qualify for a Stafford loan and as an added option, you have access to the Graduate PLUS loan. As a last resort, look to private education loans.
- Be sure to keep the lender or servicer of your undergraduate loans informed of your student status and/or change of address.
For more information on Planning for College use SLFC's Toolkit. Visit our Paying for College section to learn more about scholarships, grants and student loans.
