Planning for college or vocational school is a major financial decision. Understanding your options early can help you reduce how much you need to borrow and avoid unnecessary student loan debt. These tools can help you compare school costs, identify scholarships and grants, and make informed choices before considering student loans.
Tools
- College Budget Calculator – The DISB College Budget Calculator is designed to help students and families identify their expenses and funding sources for a year of college or vocational school as well as to determine whether a balance remains after accounting for scholarships and grants. Students can determine whether the acceptance of federal student loans is necessary to cover the costs of attendance.
- College Planning and Funding – The DISB College Planning and Funding tool is updated to provide information on scholarships and grants which may lower your overall student loan debt.
- US Department of Education College Scorecard – The Department of Education’s College Scorecard allows you to look up college programs, costs, admissions, postgraduation employment, and more.
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator – NCES’ tool allows you to research important data on tuition, fees and costs, retention and graduation rates as well as financial aid among other data points for public, private nonprofit and private-for profit institutions that provide certificate, bachelor’s, or advanced degree programs.
- US Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) - Department of Education’s searchable database of accredited colleges, universities, and postsecondary programs. Its purpose is to help users verify a school’s accreditation status in the United States.
Aspiring Postsecondary Students FAQs
I’m interested in going to school. What funding, grants, and scholarships are available?
If you’re planning to pursue higher education, the best first step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is free and determines your eligibility for federal and District-based financial aid. This may include grants that do not need to be repaid, such as Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), and TEACH Grants. You may also qualify for federal work-study and scholarships offered by the federal government, your school, or private organizations. These scholarships can be based on academic merit, special talents, fields of study, or financial need. If additional funding is required, you may be offered federal student loans (Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized), which must be repaid with interest.
I am not interested in college, but I am interested in vocational school. What funding options are available?
Students pursuing vocational, trade, or career training may also qualify for financial aid. Many accredited career schools participate in the FAFSA process, giving you access to federal grants like Pell Grants and FSEOG, as well as trade-specific grants, scholarships, apprenticeships, union-sponsored programs, and employer tuition assistance. Because federal financial aid is only available at accredited institutions, it’s important to confirm a school’s accreditation status. You can look up a vocational school’s accreditation information through the Department of Education’s online database.