College Affordability Guide

Posted by Degree Prospects on September 8, 2015

Our organization (based in Washington, DC) recently put the finishing touches on a website that helps students make informed decisions about paying for college – CollegeAffordabilityGuide.org. We approached the topic from two angles: first, we compiled a list of the most affordable schools for low-income students by state and subject (our methodology – http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/methodology/), and second, we developed in-depth financial aid resources for current students. Here are three that we’re particularly proud of:
– A comprehensive guide to financial aid, including federal aid, public and private loans, grants, payment plans, and more. We made sure to include information for many different types of students (undergrads, grad students, returning veterans, etc.).

http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/financial-aid/
– Advice for transfer students, including an overview of the process for each type of school, understanding articulation agreements, getting the most out of your credits, and more.

http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/transfer-credit/
– A detailed introduction to competency-based education, which includes over 10,000 words on how prior-learning assessments, MOOCs, independent learning, and other programs can be used to earn credits for a fraction of the cost. Schools don’t often publicize these options, which is why the guide is especially valuable to current students. http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/blog/competency-based-education-why-moocs-and-independent-learning-are-tomorrows-course-credits/
We’re proud to already be listed as a resource by some excellent educational organizations, such as the National College Access Network, and many prestigious universities (University of Pennsylvania, Texas A&M, and more).