Discover a concrete financial plan to finance a college education Financing a college education is a daunting task no matter what your circumstances. Bestselling author and personal finance expert, Eric Tyson offers tried and true strategic advice on how to understand loans, know your options, and how to improve your financial fitness while paying down your student loan debt. Armed with the checklists and timelines, you’ll be able to: Figure out what colleges actually cost 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 Explore alternatives such as apprenticeships, online programs Paying for College For Dummies helps parents and independent students navigate everything from planning strategically as a married/separated/divorced/widowed parent, completing every question on the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE forms, understanding tax laws, and so much more. No other book offers this much practical guidance on choosing and paying or college.

Demystifies the scholarship selection process Write winning essays and get financial aid Need money for college? This simple, straightforward guide shows you how to find scholarships, grants, and other "free money" to use toward your college expenses. You get expert advice on applying for federal grants, participating in state tuition plans, competing for scholarships from private organizations, and more - with tips on avoiding scams, completing your applications on time, and finding financial aid from unlikely sources. The Dummies Way * Explanations in plain English * "Get in, get out" information * Icons and other navigational aids * Tear-out cheat sheet * Top ten lists * A dash of humor and fun

A guide on how to plan for college, including how to choose the right school, how to fill out the application, how to apply for financial aid, and what pitfalls to avoid.

The competition to get into your college of choice has never been fiercer. Unfortunately, much of the application process is out of your hands. But one major aspect of the admission process is under your control—your personal statement. Your application essay provides you with the opportunity to let your true, unique and totally irresistible self shine through. College Admission Essays For Dummies is your total guide to crafting application essays that will make people sit up and take notice. It demystifies the authority figures who’ll judge your work, helps you decide what to write, and then arms you with the knowledge and skills you need to write your essay on time and on target. Step by step, it walks you through the entire essay-writing process, offering priceless tips on how to: Choose the best topic, tone, and structure for your essay Capture the crucial stories that reveal who you are Avoid common pitfalls that can sabotage your application Overcome writer’s block Know how to respond to unusual and off-the-wall essay questions Write successful short answers to specific application questions College admission guru Geraldine Woods punctures common myths about application essays and tells you what you absolutely must do to write a good one. With the help of many inspiring and instructive killer essays, she shows you how to: Put yourself in the right mental state for writing well Gather ideas, focus on a topic and choose the best structure for your essay Use topic sentences, detail, and strong introductions and conclusions Write a rough draft Show rather than tell your story Make sure your spelling and grammar are pitch perfect Create smooth transitions and avoid repetitions Your college application essay is your chance to show the committee that you’re more than just a statistic. Let College Admission Essays For Dummies show you how to write “admit-clinching” college essays.

Too many personal finance consultants offer financial advice that ignores the big picture and instead focuses on investing. You need much more than that to plan your future. You need a broader understanding of personal finance that includes all areas of your financial life in order to become financially sound. Personal Finance for Dummies, 5th Edition is full of detailed, action-oriented financial advice that will show you how to lower expenses and tame debts as well as invest wisely to achieve your financial goals! Now in its 5th edition, this up-to-date guide covers all the latest trends to ensure your financial stability. Just some of the updates and revisions include: Reviews of the new and revised tax laws and how to take advantage of them The latest scoop on Medicare and Social Security and what it means for you Updated investment advice on mutual funds and other managed investments Enhanced smart spending tips Coverage of new bankruptcy laws and how to eliminate consumer debt Smart ways to use credit and improve credit scores Expanded coverage on educational savings options This hands-on, straightforward guide features ways to survive life changes such as starting your first job, getting married, having children, and retiring, as well as helpful tactics for preventing identity theft and fraud. With Personal Finance for Dummies, 5th Edition, you’ll be able to achieve financial strength and start concentrating on the more important things in life!

Don’t let money get in the way of your kids’ best education 529 & Education Savings Plans For Dummies helps you sort through the vast amount of information about education savings accounts and choose the plans that are best for you and your family. A college or private K-12 education is generally parents’ single largest expense for their children. 529 plans and 530 plans (Coverdell accounts) are relatively solid investment vehicles that can make saving for college much easier, providing tax advantages that other types of investments can’t match. Education savings can be part of your overall wealth accumulation strategy, and this book can show you which plans are right for you, help you decide when to start saving, and guide you through determining how much to save per year in order to meet your goals—and help your kids meet theirs. Learn about the different types of tax-sheltered and tax-advantaged ways to save for education Create a saving and investment strategy that makes sense for your family Demystify the 529 and 530 plan rules and maximize your tax advantage Help set your kids on the path to success and to their college of choice This is the perfect Dummies guide for parents or family members who want to begin saving for a college or K-12 education and who may want to supplement their current savings with tax-sheltered, education-specific accounts, or tax-advantaged investment accounts that may be used for education funding.

Personal Finance in Your 20s For Dummies (9781119293583) was previously published as Personal Finance in Your 20s For Dummies (9780470769058). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product. The easy way to avoid early pitfalls on the road to financial success A little money and a little time is all that's needed to lay a strong financial foundation for today and the future. And starting sooner rather than later is the smartest thing you can do when it comes to protecting your financial future. If you're in college or enjoying your twenties, Personal Finance in Your 20s For Dummies cuts to the chase, providing you with the targeted financial advice you need to establish a firm financial footing as you work your way through school and the post-graduation years. Advice on paying off student loans, managing debt, and creating a solid pathway to financial success Investing strategies for young investors Other titles by Tyson: Personal Finance For Dummies, Investing For Dummies, and Mutual Funds For Dummies If you're looking for sound, reliable advice on how to make smart financial choices in the real world, Personal Finance in Your 20s For Dummies has you covered.