Home | College Countdown

Choose a College

Do you know what you need and want in a college?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you have a list of colleges you plan on applying to?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you know if you can afford to pay for the colleges on your list?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you know how to get financial aid to lower your college costs?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW

Prep for SAT and ACT

Which test are you preparing to take?
- SAT
- ACT
- SAT and ACT
Do you know what you need to study to get your best SAT score?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you need more SAT practice tests?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you know what you need to study to get your best ACT score?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you need more ACT practice tests?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you know what you need to study to get your best scores?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW
Do you need more SAT and ACT practice tests?
- YES
- NO
- I DON’T KNOW

Apply to College

Are you getting ready to apply to college?
- Yes
- No
Do you know how to fill out your college applications?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
Do you know how to write your best college admissions essay?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know

Cost of College

Do you know how much you can afford to pay for college?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
Do you have a list of colleges you can actually afford to pay for?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know
Do you need help with your financial aid forms, like the FAFSA?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know

Adjust to College Successfully

Do you have a plan for adjusting to college life?
- Yes
- No
- I don’t know

FAFSA Q&A

Sign up for our free FAFSA Q&A webinar on January 30 to get your FAFSA questions answered live by financial aid expert Frank Palmasani.

learn more Register now to get free online FAFSA help.

1.7 million

Every year, 1.7 million families fail to file the FAFSA because they incorrectly believe they won’t qualify for financial aid. One in 3 would have qualified for a federal Pell grant¹. Make sure you don’t miss out on any financial aid.

learn moreIt’s FAFSA time! Do you know
how to fill out your FAFSA application?

$63,000

The average family takes on nearly $63,000 in college loan debt². But families that have a plan to pay for college borrow 48% less than families without a plan³. Ready to create your paying-for-college plan?

learn moreFrom finding great schools you can afford to working through the financial aid system, Financial Fit^® can help you minimize the cost of college.

January 25

The next SAT test date is January 25. Don’t forget to register by January 14!

Need more practice before the test?

learn moreGet a full-length practice test
with MyMaxScore SAT
Practice Test Plus!

Meet Your College Mentors

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Edward B. Fiske Choose a College

When I was education editor of the New York Times, I realized that families needed honest, reliable information about colleges. That’s why I’ve published the #1 bestselling Fiske Guide to Colleges for thirty years—to help college-bound students find their best-fit schools. Learn more about Edward B. Fiske.

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Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz Apply to College

I founded my adMISSION POSSIBLE program 17 years ago and wrote my adMISSION POSSIBLE book because I wanted to give students a competitive edge in college admissions and—most importantly—help them be true to themselves every step of the way. Learn more about Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz.

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Frank Palmasani Cost of College

I’ve helped families work through the college financial aid system for more than 30 years. And as a parent myself, I’ve experienced the process on a very personal level. I know how difficult it can be. I created the Financial Fit® program to help families find affordable colleges. Learn more about Frank Palmasani.

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Harlan Cohen Succeed in College

The transition to college is a huge step for you and for your parents. I talk with students at hundreds of colleges and include their stories and tips in The Naked Roommate to help you adjust to college, no matter what type of student you are or what type of school you attend. Learn more about Harlan Cohen.

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Diane Melville Succeed in College

I attended community college and transferred to Babson College. I applied for and won more than enough scholarship money to pay for my entire education. I wrote The Community College Advantage to help students understand the benefits of community college, the transfer process, and more. Learn more about Diane Melville.

Sources:

1. “Reasons Why Students Do Not File the FAFSA." Mark Kantrowitz. January 2011.

2. “How America Pays for College 2013.” Sallie Mae. 2013.

3. “How America Pays for College 2012.” Sallie Mae. July 2012.