collegesteps.wf.com Open in urlscan Pro
2600:9000:223f:5e00:1c:5e3d:cc0:93a1  Public Scan

Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOM

GET https://collegesteps.wf.com/

<form method="get" class="search" role="search" action="https://collegesteps.wf.com/">
  <!-- <div class="col-auto"> -->
  <label class="sr-only">Search</label>
  <div class="input-group">
    <input aria-label="Search CollegeSTEPS" type="text" class="form-control search-input" name="s" value="" placeholder="Search CollegeSTEPS">
    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Go</button>
  </div>
  <!-- </div> -->
</form>

https://www.wellsfargo.com/locator/search/

<form class="form-inline" action="https://www.wellsfargo.com/locator/search/" target="_blank" _lpchecked="1">
  <div class="input-group">
    <input aria-label="City, State or Zip" class="form-control form-control-borderless" name="searchTxt" type="text" placeholder="City, State or Zip" required="">
    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Go</button>
  </div>
</form>

https://www.wellsfargo.com/locator/search/

<form class="form-inline" action="https://www.wellsfargo.com/locator/search/" target="_blank" _lpchecked="1">
  <div class="input-group">
    <input aria-label="City, State or Zip" class="form-control form-control-borderless" name="searchTxt" type="text" placeholder="City, State or Zip" required="">
    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Go</button>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to main content

 * Calendar
 * Get College ReadySM Guide
 * Customize
 * Sign up now

Search
Go
CollegeSTEPS®
 * Planning and paying for college
   Paying for collegePlanning for collegeGet College ReadySMScholarship Resource
   Center
 * Earning money
   InterningGetting a job and workingPursuing side gigs and passions
 * Managing money
   BudgetingSaving moneyInvesting and future goals
 * Understanding credit
   Building creditManaging credit
 * Resources
   College & COVID-19Commitment to studentsFor Counselors

Welcome to CollegeSTEPS®

Tell us about yourself for a custom experience (takes a few minutes).

Let's do it Not right now
 * Planning and paying for college


TALKING HELPS: WHY YOU SHOULD DISCUSS COLLEGE FINANCES WITH YOUR FAMILY AND
OTHER SUPPORT NETWORKS

 * LinkedInExternal link
 * Email
 * Print

Republished July 20, 2022
First published January 21, 2021



COLLEGE IS A BIG FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, AND CALCULATING ALL THE POTENTIAL
EXPENSES CAN BE A LOT TO DO ALONE. AS YOU PLAN TO PAY FOR COLLEGE, TALK TO YOUR
FAMILY FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT.

Attending college is a great investment in your future. But it can be expensive,
too. You’ll likely need help paying the full cost of college plus your living
expenses while you’re making progress toward your degree. Whether that help
comes in the form of scholarships, loans, money from your parents, working part
time or a combination of those, thinking about how you’re going to pay thousands
of dollars every year can be a big task.

Know that you are not alone in this journey. If you’re concerned about the costs
of going to college, reach out to people who have your back. That is most likely
your family, but it may also include your friends, mentors, counselors, or
campus resources.

Here are some tips to help you feel more confident when it comes to paying for
college.


TALK IT OUT

With average annual fees and tuitionExternal link ranging from $10,740 for
public in-state colleges to $38,070 for private institutions, it’s no wonder
going to college is a big financial decision. Make the choice just a little bit
easier by creating a plan and talking it over with people you trust.

Students cite finances as the main reason for dropping outExternal link of
college, so talking about paying for college should not be a one-and-done
conversation with your family or support network. Schedule regular check-ins
with them to make sure your, and their, financial situation hasn’t changed. You
could do this monthly when you review your budget.

Joshua Lachs, CEO of Moneythink, an educational nonprofit that provides college
financial coaching, regularly works with high school students. He helps them
understand college affordability and breaks down the financial barriers
preventing them from enrolling or graduating with a degree. “For families, money
is taboo, a huge anxiety point,” he says. “Many students have communicated to us
that they don’t want to stress their parents out any more, so they just don’t
talk about affordability. They end up making these decisions without having
those conversations with their parents.”

And that can have damaging consequences down the road. If you don’t get complete
and accurate information before you make a decision, a school that seemed
affordable upfront may suddenly feel like a stretch once you’re enrolled and
other expenses start adding up.

“We want students and families to understand that a college degree in the long
term has a very high return on investment,” Lachs says. “We want them to get
into the most affordable option because we know that over the course of one’s
lifetime, college grads on average make about $1 million more than their high
school peers, have better opportunities to save, better employment
opportunities, more access to health care, housing … it’s really an investment
into their future.”

To help ensure you’re making a sound investment, you and your parents need to
have open, ongoing, and detailed discussions about college expenses. These
conversations can guide your research into which school is the best choice for
your financial situation. And as your expenses change throughout your academic
journey, keep up the conversation with your support network to help you stay on
track.


COUNT ON OTHER COSTS

Tuition is just part of the equation — you also need to account for your overall
cost of attendance. This number includes additional expenses outside of what
your financial aid and scholarships cover, like books, personal care, a place to
stay, and food. You’ll need to factor those day-to-day expenses into your
college plan.

Sit down with your family to create a list of any remaining expenses such as
transportation; housing; and school, dorm, and medical supplies. Also, think
about how you plan to handle emergency expenses. Estimate what those costs are,
and create a budget to determine how they will be covered.

Creating and sticking to a budget can be the best approach to staying
financially stable, and it sets the groundwork for a financially responsible
future once you graduate. And doing it alongside your parents will help make the
expenses more transparent for all.

Once you know your bottom-line, all-inclusive cost, discuss with your parents
how you will cover any gaps. Students may assume family will help pay for any
additional college or cost-of-living expenses, but that’s not always the case.

Be very direct in discussing with your family what they’re willing to
contribute. Will they set up an emergency fund you can use? When is it OK to
spend that fund? Will they give you a monthly allowance?

Now that you have your budget put together, you can easily discuss this with
your parents line by line. This is where you and your family may need to choose
some tradeoffs to reach that shared goal of a degree. Would changing whether you
live at home, on campus, or off campus help make college less expensive? How
about choosing a major where you’re free to work on summer breaks, rather than
one where you need to pay for summer school classes? What will you do if it
takes more semesters than you thought to complete a degree?

If your parents can’t provide additional support, look into work-study programs
or part-time employment to provide additional income. You may even be able to
find a job that allows you to work remotely!

Planning for everyday expenses, not just your tuition, can help keep you on
budget and in control. 


GO BEYOND BUDGETING

If you’ve already created and are sticking to a budget, congratulations! You’re
already ahead of many of your peers. To make your budget work even better, be
sure to take note of these money-saving strategies that might be easy to
overlook.

Take advantage of campus perks. Schools will usually have free activities and
entertainment for students, and you can often use your student ID to get
discounts in select stores.

Additionally, consider if bringing a car to campus is the smartest financial
move for you. Not only will you have to pay for gas, insurance, and parking
passes, but you could also end up paying a lot more if your car ever has
mechanical problems. Taking a bus, shuttle, or bike can help keep costs down.

You should also be aware of money considerations outside of campus. For example,
if you plan to take out student loans, know what they entail. Before you sign on
the dotted line, be sure you and your family fully understand the fine print:
What does the loan cover? What are the interest and principal amounts? How much
will your monthly payments be after you graduate? What conditions do you need
meet to retain funding? Knowing the details of any financing you sign on to may
help you down the road.

Nobody’s perfect, and you may make mistakes. If you ever get into a financial
bind, talk to your parents or guardians to create a plan to get you back on
track.


KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING

“Open and honest financial discussions between a student and their family are
crucial,” says Tom Benza, director of Financial Aid at Wake Forest University.
“If the student and family are in a constant financial struggle because of the
cost of the school, that anxiety and stress can have an impact on retention and
timely graduation.”

Having honest conversations about money throughout your college career may help
keep you on track. But if you hit a few bumps along the way, you’re not alone.
70% of college students reported being stressed about financesExternal link, and
nearly 3 out of every 5 college students face some level of basic needs
insecurityExternal link. Students of color are more likely to experience this.

So, don’t be ashamed to talk to your parents and family or other support groups
if you’re struggling. Together, you may be able to work with your school to find
solutions. You can start with these resources on paying for college, whether
it’s through scholarships, work-study, or other financing options.

College is an exciting time in your life; you meet new people, learn valuable
skills, and create lifelong memories. The years you spend in school can be
special. And when you talk with your family and those who can support you about
how to pay for college, from initial conversations to creating a financial plan,
you can make the most of your college experience.


MAKE TFS SCHOLARSHIPS PART OF YOUR COLLEGE PLANNING

TFS Scholarships is a free, online database with more than 7 million
scholarships to search and apply for, totaling more than $41 billion in funds to
award.

Learn more
External link

Find more articles about...

family and friends, Financial Aid, paying for college, scholarships

Jennifer Gravely


WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT BUILDING A SPENDING PLAN IN SCHOOL?

You can customize your experience with a quick chat

Sound's great. Let's do it


RELATED ARTICLES


PREPARING YOUR FINANCES FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER

Help alleviate money woes and set yourself up for second semester success. Use
our list to set some goals.


FAFSA COMPLETE? HOW TO TRACK YOUR APPLICATION’S STATUS AND MUCH MORE

Answers to FAQs about completing the FAFSA.


FIVE FAFSA MISCONCEPTIONS, DEBUNKED

The FAFSA is an important financial aid form for college. Make sure you
understand its purpose by reading these 5 misconceptions (and realities).


MONEYMAKING TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS

Need cash fast? Check out these moneymaking tips and learn how to use your
talents and resources already in your arsenal.

CollegeSTEPS Information CollegeSTEPS strives to provide helpful, accurate, and
up-to-date information. Yet, with the changing conditions surrounding the
coronavirus pandemic, some CollegeSTEPS imagery, content, and situations
portrayed may not reflect advised behaviors during the pandemic. Visit our
College & COVID-19 resources for additional guidance.

CollegeSTEPS strives to provide helpful, accurate, and up-to-date information.
Yet, with the changing conditions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, some
CollegeSTEPS imagery, content, and situations portrayed may not reflect advised
behaviors during the pandemic. Visit our College & COVID-19 resources for
additional guidance.


WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Phone


CALL US

For general banking questions:
1-800-869-3557

Map pin


FIND US

Find a Wells Fargo banking location

Go
Calendar


MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule an appointment online

Go
Phone

For general banking questions:
1-800-869-3557

Find us

Make an appointment

 * Student Center
 * About Wells Fargo
 * Careers
 * PRIVACY, Cookies, Security & Legal
 * Notice of Data Collection
 * Report Fraud
 * Sitemap
 * Diversity & Accessibility
 * Online Access Agreement
 * Ad Choices

 * External link
 * External link
 * External link
 * External link
 * External link
 * External link

Wells Fargo has provided this link for your convenience but does not control or
endorse the website and is not responsible for the content, links, privacy
policy, or security policy of the website.

Important notice regarding use of cookies: By continuing to use this site, you
agree to our use of cookies as described in our Digital Privacy and Cookies
Policy.

Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

© 2023 Wells Fargo. All rights reserved.


COLLEGESTEPS SIGN UP NOW CUSTOMIZE YOUR FEED

PLAN FOR COLLEGE

 * Get College ReadySM Guide
 * Calendar

LEARN MORE ABOUT IT

 * Planning and paying for college
   * Paying for college
   * Planning for college
   * Get College ReadySM
   * Scholarship Resource Center
   * View all
 * Earning money
   * Interning
   * Getting a job and working
   * Pursuing side gigs and passions
   * View all
 * Managing money
   * Budgeting
   * Saving money
   * Investing and future goals
   * View all
 * Understanding credit
   * Building credit
   * Managing credit
   * View all
 * Resources
   * College & COVID-19
   * Commitment to students
   * For Counselors

Beyond College:
Webinar Series

College Financial Foundations Webinar Series


WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Phone


CALL US

For general banking questions:
1-800-869-3557

Map pin


FIND US

Find a Wells Fargo banking location

Go
Calendar


MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule an appointment online

Go
Phone

For general banking questions:
1-800-869-3557

Find us

Make an appointment




YOU ARE LEAVING THE WELLS FARGO WEBSITE

×
You are leaving collegesteps.wf.com and entering a website that Wells Fargo does
not control. Wells Fargo has provided this link for your convenience, but does
not endorse and is not responsible for the content, links, privacy policy, or
security policy of this website.
Cancel Continue