A
degree from a four-year university is a wonderful thing (even better
when it’s achieved in four years!), but it’s certainly not the right
educational path for every student. A degree from a two-year technical
college can be every bit as rewarding for your child – financially and
otherwise.
There are many different college options your child can choose from: a
four-year college or university, private college, community college and
a technical or career college. Understanding what each has to offer
and your child’s career goals will help set your child up for success.
College Guide for Homeschool Students
Private Colleges in Wisconsin
Technical Colleges of Wisconsin
Universities of Wisconsin
There’s no substitute for saving for your child’s education
Let’s
face it. College is expensive. The earlier you get started on a savings
plan, the better off you will be when it comes time to send your child
off to college. Setting up a savings account early – and having your
child do the same – can greatly minimize the need for student loans
later in life. You can do so through your preferred financial
institution or utilize Wisconsin’s College Savings Plan, Edvest 529, which
offers certain tax advantages for Wisconsin residents. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider saving with Edvest 529.
A variety of funding sources are available to make college affordable
If
you’re one of those parents who has diligently saved for your child’s
educational future, congratulations! If you haven’t, you’re not alone.
The good news is a variety of funding is available, including grants,
work-study and low-interest loans. Financial aid can come from the
federal government, the State of Wisconsin, the college your child will
be attending, or private organizations. Finding the right mix of funding
sources is critical to holding down the cost of an education. Here’s
some useful information on how to hold down the cost of a college education.
A Guide to Budgeting in College for Students by Study.com
Scholarships = Free Money
College
Scholarships are usually offered to students who meet certain
requirements and they’re not always just for kids who are academically
gifted. They may be given to students who have strong academic or
athletic skills, are members of a specific ethnic group, or belong to a
church or civic-based organization. Researching the thousands of
private scholarships that are offered can take some time, but the effort
may be well worth it. There are a variety of free services that offer
up lists of academic scholarships, including this one hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor that contains more than 7,000 scholarships.
A few other Scholarship websites to look at are:
Fastweb – Once you complete your profile, you’ll have access to Fastweb’s database of more than 1.5 million scholarships.
Honest Product Reviews – Scholarship Search Platforms
SallieMae Scholarship Search
– Check out Sallie Mae’s College Scholarship Search to get free access
to over 5 million scholarships worth up to $24 billion for college.
SallieMae Graduate School Scholarship Search
– Check out Sallie Mae’s brand-new Graduate Scholarship Search to
quickly and easily search more than 850,000 scholarships worth up to $1
billion – for free.
Scholarships.com – Get
detailed information on over 4,000 colleges & universities,
admission stats, athletics, enrollment data, academic majors, tuition,
financial aid & more.
Tuition Funding Sources (TFS) Scholarships
– Our massive scholarship database provides you with access to $41
billion in funding and grows at a rate of 5,000 new awards per month.
Veterans Education Scholarship List
Wisconsin Public Service Scholarships – Since 1964, Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
has awarded more than $4.8 million in scholarships to students from
Northeastern and Central Wisconsin. At the Foundation, we believe that
building on the tremendous potential of our young people is well worth
the investment.
How to Find Scholarships for College Students: Top 12 Resources
Guide to applying for scholarships
Commit this acronym to memory: FAFSA
It’s
called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is the
first step you and your child should take to be considered for federal
aid for post-secondary education. By filling out and submitting the
FAFSA, a prospective student will automatically receive consideration
for federal grants, loans and work study. Many states and colleges also
use FAFSA data to determine eligibility for state and school aid, and
some private financial aid providers may use the information to
determine whether a student qualifies for aid. Click here
to watch a short video that provides a great overview of the FAFSA
form. If you still don’t think you’re eligible, you’re (probably) wrong,
click here for more information.
FAFSA’s 2025-2026 checklist: Click 
here to find out what you’ll need to fill out your information.
The Ultimate Guide to Financial Aid and FAFSA for College Students
FAFSA Made Simple: Your Comprehensice Financial Aid Guide
FAFSA Form