A concise, inexpensive, and friendly guide to the 8 steps you can take RIGHT NOW to afford college! FINANCIAL AID MADE EASY! This concise, easy-to-follow guide breaks the confusing college financial aid process down into 8 simple steps to help you afford your education. Alas, not everybody started saving for college when their kid was in diapers. But there's still hope-and help! This friendly guide distills the confusing financial aid process into 8 clear, actionable steps you can take RIGHT NOW to help afford college. The underlying message is simple- Parents and students who understand how to apply for financial aid get more financial aid. Armed with the checklists, timelines, and info in this book, you'll be able to- . Figure out what colleges actually cost . Understand grants, loans, work-study, and other forms of aid . Get to know the FAFSA and CSS Profile(TM) . Research scholarship opportunities . Quickly compare financial aid offers from different schools . Find creative ways to lighten your debt load Note- This book is designed to be a quick primer covering the most useful core finanicial aid information. For students and parents looking for comprehensive, A-Z guidance-including long-term strategies and step-by-step help on the forms-check out Paying for College,The Princeton Review's classic and definitive guide to the A-to-Zs of financial aid.