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Questions most people have about paying for college.

Click on the questions below to find the answers.

Where do I start?

Before you start looking into loans, you need to search for scholarships and grants.

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I've heard there's scholarship money out there. How do I find it?

SunTrust is pleased to offer our very own Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes — a FREE scholarship sweepstakes that includes a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, we provide you with links to other web sites that can help you search for additional scholarship and grant money.

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My parents make decent money. Can I still get financial aid?

Yes, there are a lot of things in addition to your household income that determine if you can get financial aid, especially scholarships. There are also a number of loans for families of all income levels.

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How do I figure out how much I'll need for college?

It's really just three simple steps: first, list all of your family's financial resources. Then, use the information you got from your college to figure out what your expenses will be for the first year. Subtract those expenses from your resources, and that's how much you'll need.

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What are my borrowing choices for college?

There are basically two different types of loans people use to pay for college: federal loans and private loans. Federal loans include Stafford loans for students and PLUS loans for parents and graduate students. Federal loans are offered by the Department of Education through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP). If you can't get all of your tuition and expenses funded through federal loans, scholarships, and grants, you should look into private loans, which are offered by SunTrust.

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What exactly is "financial aid"? Is it the same thing as a scholarship?

Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study programs and Federal Stafford loans. Scholarships, grants and work-study programs are financial resources that do not have to be repaid.

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What's this FAFSA form I keep hearing about, and how do I get one?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form will be used to determine the amount of your financial aid eligibility. You submit this form in January of your senior year in high school. You can get one for free from your high school's guidance office, your college's financial aid office, the public library and online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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"SAR." "Stafford Loan." "Master Promissory Note." What do they all mean?

Don't worry. Our web site has a pretty extensive glossary. Feel free to use it as your personal financial aid dictionary. And don't be afraid to talk to your guidance counselor at your high school or the financial aid office at the college you'll be attending.

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If I'm awarded financial aid, how do I get the money?

That really varies from college to college. In most cases, the money is sent directly to the financial aid office at your college at the start of an academic term. You should check with your college's financial aid office for details on this process.

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When should I start talking to the financial aid department of the college I'll be going to?

The financial aid department of any college is a great resource for answers to your questions. Unless you have specific concerns or circumstances, you may not need to call until after your FAFSA has been submitted.

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I already sent in my FAFSA, and my family's finances have just changed. What do I do?

Don't send in another FAFSA. Wait until you get your Student Aid Report (SAR). Then contact your college's financial aid office for assistance on how to address this change.

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Do I have to apply for my financial aid and Stafford loan every year?

Yes and no. Yes, you'll have to submit a FAFSA every year, but no, you will not need to complete another Stafford loan promissory note. Your school will contact you about your loan eligibility. For private student loans, you do need to reapply every year.

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