Resources

Whether you’re just starting to think about college or actively planning your next steps, the resources below are designed to help you better understand the cost of college and how to pay for it—without unnecessary stress.

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An interactive federal search tool designed by the National Center for Education Statistics to help students and families find, compare, and analyze data on over 7,000 U.S. postsecondary institutions.

A U.S. Department of Education web-based tool designed to help students compare higher education institutions by providing transparent data on costs, graduation rates, student debt, and post-college earnings.

An online platform that helps students find personalized college recommendations by analyzing factors like GPA, test scores, intended major, location, and budget.

A budget tool that involves listing income (aid/jobs) against expenses—fixed (rent, tuition) and variable (food, fun)—to manage funds, avoid debt, and prioritize needs.

A digital tool that estimates monthly, annual, and total interest costs for federal and/or private student loans and helps borrowers compare repayment plans, determine required future salaries, and plan budgets by inputting loan balances, interest rates, and loan terms.

A tax-advantaged savings program designed to help families pay for higher education expenses. It offers Alabama taxpayers a state income tax deduction of up to $5,000 per year ($10,000 for married couples) on contributions, with tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified expenses.