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When you’re in college, you may want — or need — to do more than study and socialize. Working at an on-campus job can be a great way to stay busy, meet new people, learn new skills, and make some extra money.

You can find on-campus jobs on your own or, if you’re eligible, through the Federal Work-Study program. Read on for a basic guide to working on campus, including how work-study differs from regular part-time jobs, the benefits of working on campus, and a listing of top student job options you may want to apply for.

Work-Study vs. Part-Time Jobs

The Federal Work-Study program offers part-time jobs for undergraduate as well as graduate students who have financial need so they can earn money to pay for their education. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is the first step in applying for this aid. Not all colleges and universities participate in the Federal Work-Study program, so it’s a good idea to check with the financial aid office at your school to see if it’s an option.

Work-study jobs are open to both part- and full-time students, and the program encourages those who are awarded this aid to find work related to their major. For example, a science major may be able to get a work-study job as a lab assistant in the chemistry department. These jobs may be either on- or off-campus, the former usually in a campus department and the latter typically at a non-profit organization or a public agency. Students will earn at least the federal minimum wage, and their work-study award will be based on when they apply, their level of financial need, and their school’s funding level.


💡 Quick Tip: Make no payments on SoFi private student loans for six months after graduation.

The Benefits of Having an On-campus Job

You can look for a regular part-time job on campus on your own. The pay will vary, and the job might not have anything to do with your major, but there are still benefits to working on campus. You can save money to pay for your education or any other expenses like food, transportation, and entertainment, plus you’ll get valuable work experience, no matter the field.

Both work-study jobs or regular part-time jobs that relate to your major can boost your skills, which you can list on your resume, potentially giving you a leg up in your post-college job search.

Jobs also offer socializing and networking opportunities. You can make new friends, as well as connections that might be helpful when you’re looking for internships during college and job after you graduate.

The Top On-Campus Jobs

1. Tour Guide

Being a campus tour guide through the admission’s office requires having great interpersonal skills and a willingness to commit a lot of facts and information about your school to memory. Campus tour guides take prospective students and their families on tours of campus while giving details about different majors, activities, events, and the many other things that their school has to offer.

2. Resident Assistant

A resident assistant, or RA, lives in a dorm on campus and supervises a group of students living in that dorm, often on the same hall. Their responsibility is to make sure students are following the dorm rules and to offer support if students need anything. Typically, an RA will get free or discounted housing.

Recommended: How to Save Money in College

3. Tutor

Students who excel in a particular subject may want to consider becoming a tutor. This on-campus job allows students to teach others what they are good at and help their peers have a better understanding of the subject.

4. Campus Newspaper Editor

Students who love to write, edit, and manage a team of reporters will likely enjoy working as a campus newspaper editor. This is typically not a job that students can get right away. They may have to work their way up after holding other positions on the staff in their freshman, sophomore, and/or junior years.

5. Barista

Some schools have a café on campus where students can go to get caffeinated and study well into the night for their exams. Being a barista will teach student workers people skills and how to make the perfect Americano.

6. Library Assistant

Another one of the on-campus jobs that students can apply for is library assistant. They will re-shelve books as well as help other students find and check out the books they need.

7. Admissions Assistant

Being a tour guide isn’t the only job students can take on in the admission’s office. They can also assist with data entry, communicate with prospective students and families on the phone and through email, and help out with any other administrative work around the office. Learning administrative work can be useful, since it’s a necessary skill for many different kinds of jobs.

8. Mailroom Attendant

As a mailroom attendant, students will sort incoming mail and help other students retrieve their packages.

9. Dining Hall Server

Students might find on-campus jobs at the dining halls on their campuses. They can serve meals and maybe even get to take home free food at the end of the day.

10. Bookstore Associate

Campus bookstores tend to be busy places, especially just before classes start, when students buy their textbooks and other school supplies. The end of each semester can also be a busy time, due to returns and memorabilia shopping. As a bookstore associate, workers will typically need to stock shelves with books and merchandise and learn how to use a point-of-sale system.

11. Lifeguard

Schools with pools need lifeguards to keep students safe. Students with summer lifeguard experience in their hometown may be able to sign up for this on-campus job when they go back to school in the fall.

12. Research Assistant

Department faculty may need assistants to help them with research. Duties of a research assistant can vary, but might include data collection, putting together grant materials, managing email, or maintaining a department website.

Recommended: What Is a Graduate Fellowship?

13. Fitness Center Attendant

If there is a gym on campus, students can apply to work there. They may scan student IDs at the check-in desk, wipe down equipment, sell healthy food and smoothies at the gym café, and organize the equipment when the gym closes for the day.

14. Administrative Assistant

Different offices on campus could be looking for administrative assistants. Tasks include everything from sorting mail to doing data entry and answering telephone calls and emails.

15. IT Assistant

Students who enjoy working with computers may find on-campus jobs in the IT department. They can help other students with computer issues, like not being able to connect to the school Wi-Fi or trouble using the campus printers.

16. Museum or Gallery Assistant

If a school has an art museum or gallery, they may employ students as assistants. Students majoring in art may enjoy this on-campus job, where they may give tours, work in the gift shop, and/or check-in visitors.

17. Marketing Assistant

College marketing departments create materials to promote the school. Students who are interested in marketing or communication may want to apply for one of these on-campus jobs and learn valuable skills like email marketing, social media marketing, and copywriting. They may write blog posts for the school website and create flyers for prospective students and families.

18. Lab Assistant

Students who are majoring in the sciences may be able to find on-campus jobs in their schools’ laboratories. They might help other students with lab experiments, set up and organize labs, and prepare chemical solutions.

19. Radio DJ

If a school has a radio station, students might have the opportunity to become radio DJs, playing music that they love and hosting different programs. Other duties may include ordering new equipment, securing rights to the music they play, and setting up and breaking down the station as necessary.

20. Endowment Office Assistant

Some schools might have internship or future job.


💡 Quick Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.

Putting That Money to Work

Work-study students are paid directly by their school unless they request to have their earnings deposited into a bank account or applied to their school account (to cover things like tuition, fees, or room and board).

Whether you take on a work-study or regular part-time job, it’s a good opportunity to learn basic budgeting, putting most of your earnings towards necessities, some into savings, and spending some on fun. Earning money from a part-time job is a great opportunity to learn basic money management, which is an important life skill.

Even with income from a part-time job, however, you might still be stressed about money and how you will cover all of your college expenses. To be sure you’re getting all the financial aid you’re entitled to, make certain that you fill out the FAFSA every year. This will let you know if you’re eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans (which may be subsidized or unsubsidized).

If you still have gaps in funding, you might also look into getting a private student loan. These are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Loan limits vary from lender to lender, but you can often get up to the total cost of attendance, which gives you more borrowing power than with the federal government. Interest rates vary depending on the lender. Generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment plans and deferment or forbearance — that automatically come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOIS0823036

For many students, one of the most exciting parts of heading off to college is living on their own for the first time. That might mean moving into a freshman dorm or an on-campus apartment or finding an off-campus living space.

Which is better? The answer will depend on your personal preferences, what year you are in school, your budget, and where you go to college. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of living on campus vs living off campus.

Pros of Living On Campus

Many students dream of the day they’ll pack their bags and begin a new life at college. And, for many, a major part of that fantasy involves living on campus. The reason is that living in a freshman dorm with hoards of other students the same age can be a lot of fun.

Living on campus also comes with some other advantages. Generally, arranging on-campus housing is relatively easy, especially for freshmen who may be more likely to get a spot, or may be required to live on campus. Unlike apartment hunting, which can be time consuming and challenging, living on campus can be a more straightforward arrangement and there are generally additional resources provided for students in on-campus housing.

For example, there is generally an RA (Resident Advisor/Assistant) that can answer any questions and help resolve conflicts with roommates. Plus RA’s may run programming for the floor, or dorm, to encourage community and help students meet each other.

Typically, students living in on-campus housing can also purchase a meal plan, which means they don’t need to find time to grocery shop or cook meals when they should be cramming for finals.

Living on campus also means students are conveniently close to all of the resources provided by their school. This not only makes it easier and faster to get to your classes, but also to access on-campus dining, gyms, the health center, libraries, and student recreation centers. Attending on-campus events and getting to a professor’s office hours can also be easier when you’re living on campus.


💡 Quick Tip: Make no payments on SoFi private student loans for six months after graduation.

Cons of Living On Campus

While very convenient and exciting in many ways, on campus housing has its downsides.

For one, dormitory living often involves small spaces and lack of privacy. You may need to share a bathroom with your entire hall. And you may end up living in close quarters with a roommate you don’t know or have much in common with. In addition, finding quiet time to focus on your studies can be a challenge in a dorm.

Another potential downside to living on campus is that you may not have access to a kitchen and will need to eat your meals according to the dining hall’s schedule.

Living on campus can also be more expensive than living off campus.

Recommended: 5 Ways to Start Preparing For College

Pros of Living Off Campus

While you may think that living on campus is the key to having a true college experience, there are actually some benefits associated with living off campus.

Some students may greatly appreciate having a bit of separation from their school life and their personal life, especially as they inch closer to graduation and they begin to plan their transition to the post-college era.

Another major benefit of living off campus is the potential to save some money on living expenses and to have some extra flexibility. Living off campus can be cheaper than living on campus, depending on factors like where the college is located and how close to campus the house is located. Living off campus may also allow you to spend less on food, since you will likely have access to a kitchen and full-size refrigerator.

Another potential advantage of off-campus housing is that you may be able to find a larger living space than you could get in a dorm. Plus, you may have a 12-month lease, which gives the option of staying on campus over the summer to study, get an internship, or find a summer job. (However, this could end up being a con if you are on the hook for a lease when you don’t actually need to be in town.)

Cons of Living Off Campus

While living off campus can provide more flexibility, it may involve having to commute to campus. In some cases, students may be able to find off campus housing within walking distance to school but often you will need to drive. This brings its own set of complications, such as traffic and parking (which on some campuses can be expensive and competitive). Owning and maintaining a car also adds to your college costs.

A commute may also make it less appealing to participate in on-campus events and take advantage of campus amenities like gyms, health centers, and libraries. Spending time with friends may also take more coordination than just walking down the hall.

When it comes to living in off-campus housing, many students may also not be prepared to take on the responsibilities of adult living. While each student’s living situation will vary depending on their specific housing arrangements, many can expect to cook more, clean more, and be more responsible for properly maintaining their off- campus housing. And if they’re having issues with their roommate, there is no RA to help them clear the air.

Keeping School Requirements In Mind

At the end of the day, there is no “best” choice for a college living arrangement. There are so many variables, including the school’s location, the student’s priorities and personality, and how much each option will cost.

One caveat is that some students may not have a choice about whether they live on campus or not. Some colleges and universities require their students to live on campus for a certain amount of years. This is a more common requirement for freshman students, as colleges want them to integrate into campus life and feel engaged and supported.

If you don’t want to live on campus, despite there being a requirement to do so, it’s worth seeing if the school allows students to petition to live off campus. Allowances are sometimes made for students whose families live nearby or who have health issues or specific dietary requirements that can’t be met easily through on-campus dining options.

On the other end of the spectrum, some colleges only guarantee housing on-campus for a certain number of years, resulting in students living off campus at one time or another.

Some colleges and universities provide online resources and other information for students who are interested in living off campus. These resources can help students find housing and make the transition to off campus housing a bit easier.


💡 Quick Tip: Would-be borrowers will want to understand the different types of student loans that are available: private student loans, federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and more.

Financing College Life

Regardless of where you live, you’ll need to figure out how to pay for it. Some students may be able to use the financial aid they receive to help pay for their room and board.

Scholarships may have restrictions on how they can be used, and room and board or rent may or may not be eligible expenses. Review the details of specific scholarships to understand what costs they can help fiance. Student loans can generally be used to pay for tuition as well as living expenses and housing.

There are two types of student loans that you may be able to tap — private and federal student loans.

Federal student loans may be subsidized by the government, which means interest won’t start to accrue until six months after you graduate, or they may be unsubsidized, which means interest begins accruing right away. Either way, you don’t have to start making payments until six months after graduation. Federal loans come with a fixed interest rate set by the Congress annually, and don’t require a credit check.

If federal student loans do not fully cover your costs, you may also want to explore getting a private student loan.
Private student loans are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. These loans do require a credit check and, generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment plans and Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness — that automatically come with federal student loans.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOIS0823021

Going to college is a lot of work. Between studying for exams, cranking out term papers, and keeping up on homework, there is a lot to stay on top of. For student athletes, there is even more to juggle. Their chosen sport is basically a full-time job ― and a physically-demanding one at that.

The good news is that, according to recent research, college athletes tend to have higher graduation rates than their peers. However, to make it to your college graduation, you’ve got to keep your grades up and find the time to study, which can be especially challenging during your freshman year.

Read on to learn some simple and effective strategies that can help you balance your responsibilities in the classroom and on the court, field, or wherever you play.

Planning Your Class Schedule Accordingly

Often, coaches will outline clear timeframes for practice and training that student athletes need to plan their class schedules around. Additionally, games and competitions are usually scheduled far enough in advance for student athletes to know which days of the week they’ll be traveling most often.

Still, there may be some discretion in choosing class times. Keeping in mind when you prefer to eat, sleep, and study is key to creating a schedule that will help you perform as a student and athlete.

Although many student athletes maintain an active training schedule throughout the year, the official NCAA season (or the majority of it) for many sports occurs during either the fall or spring semester. You may want to take advantage of a more flexible off-season schedule by taking more academically demanding classes and those that would otherwise conflict with their practice schedule.


💡 Quick Tip: Pay down your student loans faster with SoFi reward points you earn along the way.

Keeping Your Eye on the Prize

Student athletes invest countless hours in their chosen sport. Yet, the vast majority will graduate and pursue a career outside athletics. On average, just 2% of college student athletes move up to professional leagues after NCAA competition.

Academics are an integral part of being a successful student athlete. Choosing a degree program you’re passionate about and that supports your career goals can help keep you motivated and on track to graduate.

Each team and college may maintain its own standards for GPA requirements to compete, but the NCAA sets minimum requirements too. Division I and Division II athletes are required to meet initial eligibility criteria set by the NCAA while Division III student-athletes are held to the standards set by the schools they attend.

Just skating by in terms of GPA may allow you to compete, but it could hurt your candidacy for internships and jobs after graduation.

Recommended: 12 Ways a College Athlete Can Make Money

Building Relationships With Your Professors and Classmates

This advice could apply to any college student, but student athletes in particular stand to benefit from getting to know their professors and classmates early on in the semester.

To varying degrees, college sports teams travel off-campus for games and competitions, which means student athletes might miss some in-person class time. Meeting with professors at the beginning of the semester can show a commitment to your studies and help hash out any scheduling conflicts for classes and exams.

Also, making friends with classmates can be beneficial for exchanging class notes to cover each other’s absences, as well as forming study groups.

Finding an Accountability Buddy

Student athletes know the importance of teamwork. In addition to pushing each other to greatness at practice and the gym, teammates can be a support system to help achieve your academic goals too. Forging a partnership or study group to hold each other accountable to these goals, on and off the court or field, is one such strategy.

For starters, who can better relate to your experience and challenges balancing athletics and academics than a teammate? Together, you and your accountability buddy can capitalize on downtime on the road to away games to tackle assignments or plan a study night before a big game to resist the urge to party.

It’s okay if your goals are different. The important thing is that you find an accountability buddy you feel comfortable with and who will help keep you on track.

Recommended: 5 Ways to Start Preparing For College

Prioritizing Health and Wellness

Both academics and sports can be demanding, and taking them on simultaneously requires serious stamina. Prioritizing physical and mental health by eating well, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to destress can help prevent burnout and stay sane. It’s okay to slip up every now and then, but creating a plan that you can stick to could make a difference in succeeding as a student athlete.

Recommended: What Is College Like?

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

Many college students deal with stress between exams and assignments. For college student athletes, the pressure to succeed athletically and academically can be a lot to handle.

There is no shame in asking for help, and the sooner the better. College tutors can assist with everything from proofreading essays to prepping for a chemistry test. Approaching professors early with any concerns could also help with extra credit opportunities or a chance to redo an assignment.

Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Studying in College

What About Redshirting?

For Division I athletes, the NCAA regulation grants college student athletes a span of five years to compete in four years of athletic competition. For Division II and Division III students there is a 10-semester, or 15-quarter clock. This means that student athletes may take a year off from competing ― a practice known as redshirting ― as long as they continue taking coursework and meet other eligibility requirements.

Traditionally, redshirting is applied to allow students athletes more time to develop or recover from a significant injury. However, student athletes may be able to use redshirting to their advantage in terms of coursework.

Redshirting may allow students to take a more manageable course load by stretching their degree over ten semesters instead of eight. Alternatively, it can provide extra time to complete both a bachelor’s and graduate degree in one go.

Keep in mind that redshirting guidelines vary by division. For instance, Division I and II athletes are permitted to practice with their team during their redshirt season, whereas Division III athletes may not.


💡 Quick Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.

Paying for College

College is a big investment, but fortunately there are options for funding education. Financial aid, grants, work-study programs, and scholarships may be enough to pay for all or a portion of tuition and room and board.

Athletic Scholarships

There are some full-ride and partial athletic scholarships available to Division I and II student athletes. Athletics classified as headcount sports offer full ride scholarships to a certain number of athletes per team, whereas equivalency sports traditionally extend partial scholarships. Head count sports include the following:

For Men:
•  Division I basketball
•  Division I-A football

For Women:
•  Division I basketball
•  Division I tennis
•  Division I volleyball
•  Division I gymnastics

For equivalency sports, it’s up to the college and coaching staff to decide how to divide scholarship funds between student athletes.

Recommended: Finding Free Money for College

Student Loans

In the event that scholarships, grants, and financial aid are not enough to cover tuition and living expenses, student athletes can take out student loans to help them cover the difference.

Federal student loans may be subsidized, which means interest won’t start to accrue until six months after you graduate, or they may be unsubsidized, which means interest begins accruing right away. Either way, you don’t have to start making payments until six months after graduation. Federal loans come with a fixed interest rate set by the government and don’t require a credit check.

If those do not cover your costs, you may also consider private student loans.

Private student loans are available through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms vary, depending on the lender. These loans do require a credit check and, generally, borrowers (or cosigners) who have strong credit qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind, though, that private loans may not offer the borrower protections — like income-based repayment plans and deferment — that automatically come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOIS0823020

Applying to college can be both time-consuming and expensive — with some schools charging as much as $75 just to apply. Fortunately, there are ways to make the process easier, and potentially cheaper.

The Common Application (or Common App) is an online college application platform used by more than 1,000 colleges that allows you to apply to multiple schools using one centralized application. The bulk of the application questions only need to be filled out once, though certain colleges and universities might also require supplements, such as short answer questions and/or essay prompts specific to that school. The new edition of the Common App opens Aug. 1 every year.

The Common App also provides students with valuable resources for the application process, including step-by-step application guidelines, information about financial aid and scholarship options, as well as how to get your application fee waived.

How Much Does the Common App Cost?

Although the Common App is free to use, individual schools often have their own application fees that students must pay to apply. The average undergraduate application fee for U.S. students is $56. However, some schools don’t charge application fees.

The Common App organization understands that some students are unable to pay application fees, and they don’t want this to be a barrier for students to be able to apply for college. For this reason, they have created the Common App Fee Waiver, which allows students to apply to schools without any fees.

Not every school will accept a fee waiver but thousands of schools around the world do.


💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

How the Common App Fee Waiver Works

You can use the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile to request a fee waiver. If you select that you are eligible for the Common App fee waiver, you will not be charged any application fees when you submit through Common App.

Recommended: Ultimate College Application Checklist

How to Apply

Students can apply for the Common App Fee Waiver in the Personal Information or Profile section of their application. There is a place in this section to select “Yes” to apply for the waiver and indicate eligibility.

In order to complete the application for a Fee Waiver, students must also have their college counselor submit a fee waiver form.

Many schools use the honor system and trust that a form from a counselor proves a student’s eligibility, but some schools may ask for electronic or hard copies of paperwork for verification of eligibility.

Recommended: Important College Application Deadlines

Who is Eligible?

Students who fit any of the following criteria may be eligible to receive a Common App Fee Waiver:

•   Students who are orphans or wards of the state
•   Students whose family receives public assistance
•   Students who received or are eligible to receive SAT or ACT testing fee waivers
•   Students enrolled in or eligible to enroll in Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Programs
•   Students whose family’s annual income fits the eligibility for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
•   Students enrolled in local, state, or federal aid programs for low-income families
•   Students who are homeless, live in a foster home or in federally subsidized public housing
•   Students who get a written statement from a community leader, financial aid officer, school counselor or official

Each school decides whether to grant a student’s request for a Common App Fee Waiver.


💡 Quick Tip: Federal student loans carry an origination or processing fee (1.057% for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans first disbursed from Oct. 1, 2020, through Oct. 1, 2024). The fee is subtracted from your loan amount, which is why the amount disbursed is less than the amount you borrowed. That said, some private student loan lenders don’t charge an origination fee.

Beyond the Application: Paying for College

Students and families applying for Common App Fee Waivers may also be looking into financing options to pay for college tuition. There are several options for parents and students who need help paying for college. These include:

Filling out the FAFSA

The first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you don’t think you will qualify for aid, it’s a good idea to fill out this form. The FAFSA opens up opportunities for students to receive student loans, federal grants, school aid, and work-study positions.

Applying for Scholarships

There are thousands of private scholarships available to students, and the benefit of scholarships is that they don’t have to be paid back, unlike student loans.

Finding Affordable Schools

Although some universities cost tens of thousands of dollars each year to attend, others are much more affordable. Some schools are also more generous with student financial aid than others. Students may want to carefully compare the financial aid packages offered to them to figure out which school is the most affordable for them.

Applying for Work-Study Jobs

Students can work part time to help pay for college. The federal work-study program provides work opportunities for students to get jobs on campus.

Applying for Grants

In addition to scholarships, there are thousands of grants available to students. These grants are issued by the federal government, the Pell program, and individual states. Some are need-based, while others are merit-based. To find out if you qualify and to become eligible for grants, you need to fill out the FAFSA.

Saving Money in a 529 Plan

Many families put money aside each month to help pay for college tuition. One way to do this is using a 529 Plan, which is an investment account that offers tax benefits when used to pay for qualified education expenses for a designated beneficiary.

Taking out Federal Loans

Federal student loans are administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and may be subsidized (which means you won’t be charged interest while you are in college and for six months after) or unsubsidized (meaning interest starts accruing right away). Federal loans tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than private loans.

To qualify for a federal loan, you will need to complete and submit the FAFSA.

Taking out Private Loans

Another option for covering the cost of attendance for college is to take out a private student loan. These are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates tend to be higher than federal student loans, but borrowing limits are typically higher. These loans are not need-based and generally require a credit check. Borrowers (or cosigners) with excellent credit tend to qualify for the lowest rates.

Keep in mind that private student loans may not offer the same borrower protections that federal student loans offer, such as forbearance or income-driven repayment plans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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