Student Loan Basics

Contact Us

Loan Information Center

800.999.9080

617.728.4200, option 4

information@asa.org

Mon – Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please note: All times Eastern.

Financial Aid Resources

Applying to colleges doesn’t have to be overwhelming—even when thinking about financial aid.

Luckily, you and your family can access online and in-person resources to get through the college and financial aid application processes.

Web Resources

Get the facts about financial aid and regulations that impact student loan borrowers directly from Federal Student Aid.
Find out about admissions tests, choosing the right college, applying to college, and financial aid—including a scholarship search—with The College Board.
Read—in other students’ own words—why college is important, how to get there, and how to pay for it at College.gov.
Receive free information and resources about college, careers, financial aid, and financial literacy by visiting Mapping Your Future.
Compare the cost of different schools—and see how those prices could impact you after graduation—with this cost comparison tool from the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
Search for scholarships and other aid at Fastweb and College Answer.
Take advantage of specialized financial aid resources like IEFA, the United Negro College Fund, and A Better Chance.

Resources in Massachusetts

In and around Boston, prospective college students and their families can talk to someone about planning and paying for college, and other career-building programs at ASA College Planning Centers.
Through the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, adults can receive counseling on going back to school, advancing their careers, and paying for their educations from the Educational Opportunity Centers.
The Boston Youthzone scholarship guide has information on local and regional grants and scholarships, as well as additional resources for applying to college.
You can get in-person help at the annual FAFSA Day.

National Events

To help students and families prepare their financial aid applications, many states take part in the nationwide initiatives College Goal Sunday or FAFSA Day.