🎓 Master List: How to Prepare for Financial Aid with Higher Education Pro

Use www.higher-edu-pro.com to Stay Ahead, Save Time, and Plan Smart

🧭 1. Get an Overview of All Tools & Resources

Menu Path: Home > Intro
🔗 Intro Page – Start Here
✅ Tour all tools: FAFSA help, school comparison, budgeting, career planning, and more.

🧒 2. Understand Student Responsibilities

Menu Path: Menu > Responsibilities > Students
🔗 Students
✅ Learn what students must do to stay eligible for aid and manage costs wisely.

📋 3. Prepare to File the FAFSA

Menu Path: Menu > Financial Aid Help > FAFSA
🔗 FAFSA Information
✅ Step-by-step instructions, documents checklist, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Menu Path: Menu > Financial Aid Help > Sign-Up Form
🔗 Reminders and Deadline Alerts
✅ Sign up for SMS reminders so you never miss key deadlines.

💸 4. Estimate Real College Costs

Menu Path: Menu > Financial Planning > UTC - School Comparison
🔗 UTC - School Comparison * Net Price Calculators are located in each school tablet
✅ Estimate what you’ll actually pay after financial aid.

Menu Path: Menu > Financial Planning > Budgeting
🔗 Budgeting
✅ Understand monthly living costs—rent, food, books, etc.

Menu Path: Menu > Financial Planning > Toolkit
🔗 Financial Planning Toolkit
✅ Tools to help students and families plan short- and long-term college expenses.

🏫 5. Compare Schools & Aid Offers

Menu Path: Menu > Comparison > UTC - School Comparison
🔗 UTC School Comparison Tool
✅ Search and compare over 6,000 colleges by tuition, acceptance rate, graduation rate, and average aid.

👨‍💼 6. Explore Career Paths & Earning Potential

Menu Path: Menu > Career Tools > Career Simulator
🔗 Career Simulator Tool
✅ Match your interests to high-growth, high-paying careers.

Menu Path: Home > Intro > Vocational Resources
🔗 Vocational & Technical School Options
✅ Explore affordable and fast career training options beyond 4-year college.

🇺🇸 7. Veterans & Military Education Support

Menu Path: Menu > Veteran Resources
🔗 Veteran & Military Benefits
✅ Understand how to access your GI Bill®, VA aid, and military scholarships.

🧠 8. What to Ask at a Financial Aid Meeting

Be sure to ask:

  • What is the full Cost of Attendance (COA)?

  • What grants and scholarships am I eligible for?

  • How much of the aid is free money vs. loans?

  • Are there payment plans or aid appeals?

  • What happens if I win outside scholarships?

  • Can I work on campus through work-study?

  • When will I receive a financial aid award letter?

✅ Bring printed results from the Budget Calculator and UTC Comparison Tool for reference.

🗓️ 9. Weekly Student Checklist for Staying on Track

Weekly Task Menu Path Tool Links ✔️ Done
☐ Check deadlines & alerts Menu > Join > Sign-Up Form Sign Up
☐ Update school choices Menu > Comparison > UTC - School Comparison Compare Schools
☐ Review/update budget Menu > Financial Planning > Budget Calculator Plan Budget
☐ Explore careers Menu > Career Tools > Career Simulator Try Simulator
☐ Review aid options Menu > Financial Aid Help > FAFSA Tutorial FAFSA Help

📣 CALL TO ACTION: Build a Habit That Pays Off

💬 Students: Bookmark www.higher-edu-pro.com, and check in weekly. Explore schools, plan budgets, track deadlines—it pays off.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents: Help your student stay accountable by asking them weekly:

Have you used the FAFSA tools?

Have you checked your school comparisons?

Are you on track with your budget and career plan?