--- title: The Money College Checklists description: Complete guides to finding and applying for college as well as filling out the FAFSA and earning financial aid in downloadable checklists. authors: - name: egstark url: https://money.com/author/egstark/ at_money_since: 2014 articles: 2 covers: - Education - Personal Finance former_staff: true published: '2015-09-29T22:12:44.000Z' modified: '2024-04-02T04:48:20.000Z' section: Education tags: - Best colleges - checklists - colleges - financial aid word_count: 287 canonical: https://money.com/college-checklists-guides/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![The Money College Checklists](https://money.com/content.money.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/150929_coll_checklist.jpg?crop=0px%2C219px%2C2100px%2C1182px&resize=1012%2C569&quality=85&strip&ssl=1) ![](https://img.money.com/2015/09/money-college-planner_checklist_best-value.jpg) ## How to Pick a Best-Value College Money’s annual [Best Colleges list](https://money.com/best-colleges/) ranks schools based on educational quality, affordability, and the career outcomes of their graduates. You can use similar criteria to identify the schools that will provide the best value for your particular student and financial situation. Use this checklist as a guide. [Download *Money*'s checklist for a best-value college.](https://img.money.com/2015/09/collegeplanner-checklist1-rev2.pdf) * * * ## How to Get the Most Financial Aid for College ![](https://img.money.com/2015/09/money-college-planner_checklist_financial-aid.jpg) Don’t panic about those crazy high costs of attendance you see posted on college websites. Less than half of students actually pay those sticker prices, because grants and scholarships cut their real costs by thousands of dollars. To make sure your family gets its fair share of financial aid, follow these nine key steps. Examples include: tackle the CSS and price your degree. [Download *Money*'s checklist for maximizing your chance of financial aid.](https://img.money.com/2015/09/collegeplanner-checklist2-rev.pdf) ![rule_ali_photo](https://img.money.com/2015/07/rule_ali_photo.png) ## Smart Ways to Borrow for College ![Money_CollegePlanner-Checklist3-Borrowing-FINAL](https://img.money.com/2016/03/money_collegeplanner-checklist3-borrowing-final.jpg) Seven in 10 undergraduate students today borrow to finance their education. Their average debt upon graduation is more than $30,000, but some families unwisely borrow more than they should. This checklist will walk you through splitting up borrowing between students and their parents. It can also help you find the [best loans](https://money.com/student-loans/) and not take on more than you can afford. [Download *Money*'s checklist for smart ways to borrow for college.](https://img.money.com/2016/03/money_collegeplanner-checklist3-borrowing-final1.pdf) * * * ## How to Manage Your College Costs ![Money_CollegePlanner_Checklist4-Generic](https://img.money.com/2016/03/money_collegeplanner_checklist4-generic.jpg) College often involves additional expenses that go beyond a school’s published cost of attendance—from pizza to plane tickets. This checklist can help you avoid budget-busting surprises and keep those extras under control. Examples include: budgeting for studying abroad, how to decorate a dorm on the cheap and joining a fraternity or sorority. 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