College Search Tips
Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #1Finding the right college fit can feel overwhelming. Having a roadmap is essential, but before developing the map, you need to know a few things about where you want to land. The following websites should prove helpful! Our list is by no means a complete listing, but the ones that TE Central feels are valuable.
Tuition Exchange is a member-based scholarship opportunity, NOT an employee benefit. Each member institution has EXPORT guidelines and IMPORT guidelines.
The College Navigator is created and supported by The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES is located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. NCES fulfills a Congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze, and report complete statistics on the condition of American education, conduct and publish reports, and review and report on education activities internationally.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid - aka FAFSA is the application to complete when seeking federal and state financial aid funding options. Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, our 1,200 employees help make a college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $150 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to more than 15 million students paying for college or career school. We are proud to sponsor millions of American minds pursuing their educational dreams.
Families can complete the FAFSA in October and use the most recent federal 1040 on file with the IRS. If your family has experienced a significant reduction in family income since completing the federal 1040, you should visit directly with the financial aid office at the college(s) where you plan to enroll in the fall. Significant means a reduction in the most recently reported federal adjusted gross income of greater than 15%. If your family has experienced the death of an immediate family member or parent, your parents divorced during this calendar year, or the family has paid out of pocket more than 12% of the adjusted gross income in medical bills, contact the financial aid office where you plan to enroll. Be prepared to provide proof of income loss, death, divorce, or payment of medical bills to confirm all is in order. Reviewing the data can take time, so please be patient and provide all documents requested quickly.
Be prepared for college - students, “college prep” is about more than the classes you take. It’s also about developing the skills to help you succeed in college and life. For instance, as you balance studying and having fun, you’ll be practicing time management. As you save for college, you’ll learn money management as the checklists suggest these and many other steps you can take, as well as websites you can explore, as you prepare academically and financially for college.
Cost of school considerations - The cost of college can include various items, including some you might not expect. Understanding college costs allows you to compare schools and explore options more equitably.
Tuition Exchange Membership listing – Today, Tuition Exchange membership numbers are more than 690 schools strong. There is a school fit for everyone. If you or your parent is employed at one of our member schools, visit with the Tuition Exchange Officer soon to find out more. Many ask that TE provide all majors for each school on our website. Instead, turn your search around. Discover what schools offer the college major you are most interested in, then check out the TE school listing. We firmly believe there is a TE school for every student, and for every student, there is a TE school that fits just right!
Want a simple checklist?
CLICK HERE for what you need to know about your Export (home) TE school.
CLICK HERE for what you need to consider when considering Import TE schools.