You may find it interesting to research statistics on colleges and universities your daughter is interested in. Looking at retention rates and graduation rates may be of particular interest. The information is only as accurate as what each institution provides, and we would caution you against relying on it too heavily since, in many cases, the differences among institutions are small, and the numbers don’t reflect what your daughter’s lived experience will be on a particular campus.
Paying for college generally comes from a variety of sources. School scholarships and grants, state grants, federal grants, federal loans, private loans, and savings. Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid while loans do. Most schools also offer payment plan options.
Federal and State Aid:
External Scholarships:
Many colleges use ScholarshipUniverse. Students access this directly through a college's website. It allows students to search and apply for both college and external scholarships approved by the school.