{"id":14627,"date":"2025-03-24T09:57:58","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T14:57:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/?page_id=14627"},"modified":"2025-04-01T10:26:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T15:26:13","slug":"college-financial-planning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/college-financial-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"College Financial Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__hero panel panel-hero site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"hero\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper imageoverlay site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<figure  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-panel__hero-bg-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Commencement_HP-1024&#215;576\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2020\/04\/Commencement_HP-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2020\/04\/Commencement_HP-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1 1024w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2020\/04\/Commencement_HP-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1 1024w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2020\/04\/Commencement_HP-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1 1024w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2020\/04\/Commencement_HP-1024x576-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&#038;ssl=1 1024w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__hero-content site-panel__hero-content--purple\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__hero-content-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-panel__hero-title\" id=\"graduate-with-less-debt-more-possibilities\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Graduate with Less Debt, More Possibilities<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The idea of paying for college can feel like a big challenge, but with the right knowledge, you can graduate with <span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">\u00a0less debt and more freedom<\/span>\u00a0to pursue your dreams.<\/strong><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial aid can make a huge difference\u2014in fact, most students don\u2019t pay the full sticker price because of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">grants, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scholarships, and other aid.<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--white\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none site-section__bg--white\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Understanding Financial Aid<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When researching colleges, you\u2019ll hear a lot about financial aid\u2014but what does it really mean?<\/span><\/h5>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial aid is money that helps cover tuition, housing, books, and other college costs. It comes in different forms with different responsibilities:<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--white\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__bg--white\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Grants &amp; Scholarships<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Free money that y<\/em><em>ou don&#8217;t have to pay back!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn--xs\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/grants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Loans<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>Borrowed money that you must repay. <\/em><em>(Pay attention to interest rates!)<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn--xs\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LEARN MORE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Work-Study<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><em>A part-time job on campus.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn--xs\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/studentemployment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; margin-bottom: 60px; margin-top: 0;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9273\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_icon_1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_icon_1.png?fit=140%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"140,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_icon_1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_icon_1.png?fit=140%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_icon_1.png?fit=140%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9273 aligncenter\" style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_icon_1.png?w=50&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checklist Icon\"  \/><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: Calluna Sans; font-weight: 400; padding: 6px; text-transform: uppercase; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums; background-color: #e4a11b; color: #000000; font-size: 22px;\"><b>Make a plan for college affordability<\/b><\/span><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9278\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/graph_line\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/graph_line.png?fit=17%2C85&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"17,85\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"graph_line\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/graph_line.png?fit=17%2C85&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/graph_line.png?fit=17%2C85&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9278 aligncenter\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/graph_line.png?resize=17%2C85&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"17\" height=\"85\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_box\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"118,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_box\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9274\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0 30px 20px 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?w=40&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checkbox empty\"  \/><\/p>\n<h6><strong>DETERMINE YOUR FINANCIAL AID NEEDS<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p>Every college calculates aid differently. Don&#8217;t let a sticker price detour you from your dream school!<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_box\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"118,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_box\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9274\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0 30px 20px 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?w=40&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checkbox empty\"  \/><\/p>\n<h6><strong>FILE YOUR FAFSA ON TIME<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p>Every dollar counts (who doesn&#8217;t love free money!) and remember each college could have a different deadline!<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; padding-right: 25px;\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_box\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"118,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_box\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9274\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0 30px 20px 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?w=40&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checkbox empty\"  \/><\/p>\n<h6><strong>Search and apply for scholarships<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p>Through junior and senior year.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_box\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"118,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_box\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9274\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0 30px 20px 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?w=40&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checkbox empty\"  \/><\/p>\n<h6><strong>compare actual costs, not just sticker prices<\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some schools provide more generous aid than others so knowing your net cost is crucial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 30px;\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"9274\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/checklist_box\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"118,117\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Checklist_box\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?fit=118%2C117&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9274\" style=\"float: left; margin: 0 30px 20px 0;\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2019\/07\/Checklist_box.png?w=40&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Checkbox empty\"  \/><\/div>\n<div>\n<h6><strong>Understand institutional vs. federal aid<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Are you applying to an institution that requires an additional financial aid form?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"untitled shoot 971 (1)\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/untitled-shoot-971-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C1068&#038;ssl=1');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a3d57 {\n\t\t\t\theight: 500px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a3d57\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay--no-ribbon horz-left vert-middle\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&#x1f4a1; PRO TIP\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many students pay far less than a college\u2019s \u201c<em>sticker price<\/em>\u201d because of financial aid. Always check what scholarships and grants a school offers, as some institutions are more generous than others!<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__title panel panel-title site-section__bg--u-cc-gold\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"title\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n<section class=\" site-panel__title--wrapper u-cc-gold\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hero__pattern u-fc-white\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pattern--background\" style=\"--pattern-url: url('https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-content\/plugins\/st-olaf-gutenberg-blocks\/\/assets\/img\/backgrounds\/pattern-b.svg')\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-panel__title--inner l-wrapper\">\n\t\t<h1 class=\"page__title h1\">Where Do I Start?<\/h1>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--light\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters site-section__bg--gray site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"snow_043\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/02\/snow_043.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/02\/snow_043.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/02\/snow_043.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/02\/snow_043.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--sm\" id=\"step-1\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Step 1:<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">DETERMINE YOUR FINANCIAL AID NEEDS<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before diving into financial aid research, take time to assess your personal and family financial situation. Every college calculates aid differently, so understanding what you might qualify for will help guide your search.<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Questions to discuss with your family:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What can we realistically afford per year for college?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do we anticipate qualifying for need-based financial aid? (Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/aid-estimator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal Student Aid eligibility estimator<\/a>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are we comfortable taking on student loans? If so, how much?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What types of scholarships or grants should we prioritize?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-minimal site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"title\" data-autop=\"\" data-livetext=\"\">&#x1f4a1; <strong>Did You Know?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some colleges (like St. Olaf) commit to meeting <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/need-based\/\"><b>100% of demonstrated financial need<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for all admitted students.<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--light\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters site-section__bg--gray site-panel__imgtxt-img-left\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"garcia_Piper_Center_20240924_053\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/garcia_Piper_Center_20240924_053.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/garcia_Piper_Center_20240924_053.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/garcia_Piper_Center_20240924_053.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/garcia_Piper_Center_20240924_053.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--sm\" id=\"step-2\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Step 2:<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">FILE YOUR FAFSA \u2013 YOUR KEY TO FREE MONEY<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important step in securing financial aid. Filing the FAFSA unlocks:<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#x1f4b0; Federal and state grants (like the Pell Grant)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#x1f4b3; Low-interest federal student loans<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#x1f469;&#x200d;&#x1f393; Work-study opportunities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#x1f3eb; School-based scholarships and grants<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Campus colors 001\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/Campus-colors-001.jpg?resize=1600%2C1068&#038;ssl=1');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a714f {\n\t\t\t\theight: 500px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a714f\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay--no-ribbon horz-left vert-middle\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&#x1f4a1; PRO TIP\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>FAFSA<\/strong> typically opens every <strong><em>October<\/em><\/strong>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">File as early as possible to maximize your eligibility!<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 id=\"step-3\" class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--sm\" data-name=\"title\" data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\"><strong>STEP 3:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">SEARCH AND APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce college costs. There are thousands available\u2014many you can apply for as a high school junior or senior!<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-minimal\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6><strong>&#x1f393; Colleges &amp; Universities<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most schools offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Some require a separate application, so check deadlines early!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6><strong>&#x1f4da; high school counselors<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check in with your high school guidance\/counseling staff to see what students in your high school have won in the past. Those scholarships may be a great fit for you!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content c-tile\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h6><strong>&#x1f3c6; Local &amp; Community Organizations<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship offer scholarships that often have less competition!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__image_overlay panel panel-image_overlay site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"image-overlay\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div role=\"img\" aria-label=\"SpringFirstDay-18\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/SpringFirstDay-18.jpg?resize=1600%2C1066&#038;ssl=1');\" loading=\"lazy\"  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-section__bg-img--m-stack\"><\/div>\n\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t@media all and ( min-width: 960px ) {\n\t\t\t#site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a7e64 {\n\t\t\t\theight: 500px;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t<\/style>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \n\t<div id=\"site-panel__image-overlay-69d1bc17a7e64\" class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-wrap site-panel__img-overlay--no-ribbon horz-left vert-middle\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__img-overlay-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content t-content--light\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title bold\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t&#x1f4a1; Did You Know?\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even small scholarships add up\u2014$500 here and $1,000 there can make a big impact on your tuition bill!<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--light\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters site-section__bg--gray site-panel__imgtxt-img-left\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Commencement 823\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/Commencement-823.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/Commencement-823.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/Commencement-823.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2025\/03\/Commencement-823.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--sm\" id=\"step-4\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Step 4:<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">COMPARE ACTUAL COSTS, NOT JUST STICKER PRICES<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all colleges cost the same\u2014even if tuition looks high at first. What really matters is your \u201cnet cost\u201d (the cost after financial aid).<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>&#x1f9ee; Look for a college\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/net-price-calculator\/\">Net Price Calculator<\/a> to get a personalized estimate.<br \/>\n&#x1f50d; Compare financial aid offers\u2014some colleges are more generous than others.<br \/>\n&#x1f393; Check graduation rates\u2014<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colleges with strong support systems can help you finish on time and avoid extra tuition costs! <\/span><em>(In case you were wondering, St. Olaf&#8217;s graduation rate is 81% of students graduate in four years \u2014which is 20% higher than the national average!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--light\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters site-section__bg--gray site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"psci-1218-of-110-X3\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2022\/11\/psci-1218-of-110-X3.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2022\/11\/psci-1218-of-110-X3.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2022\/11\/psci-1218-of-110-X3.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/files\/2022\/11\/psci-1218-of-110-X3.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--sm\" id=\"step-5\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Step 5:<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong><span style=\"background-color: #e4a11b; padding: .5px; margin-bottom: .5px; line-height: 1.5;\">UNDERSTAND INSTITUTIONAL VS. FEDERAL AID<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many private colleges (including St. Olaf) require an additional form called the CSS Profile to award institutional need-based aid. <\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This goes beyond the FAFSA and helps determine eligibility for college-specific grants and scholarships. If your family has any unique or special circumstances (number of children per household attending college, cost of living in student&#8217;s home city and sate, medical bills, changes in finances, etc.) you can tell us about those circumstances on the CSS Profile.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t   \tclass=\"cta\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/how-to-apply-for-financial-aid\/\"\n\t\t   \ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\tLearn More About the CSS Profile\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-embed wp-embed--lazy\">\n<div class=\"wp-embed-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"wp-embed-lazy\" data-js=\"lazyload-embed\" data-embed-provider=\"st. olaf college\" > \t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/multimedia\/play\/?p=1249\" data-embed-href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/multimedia\/play\/embed\/p1249?autoplay=1\" class=\"wp-embed-lazy__trigger\" data-js=\"lazyload-trigger\" title=\"College Search 101 - What Can Make College More Affordable?\" data-embed-id=\"p1249\"> \t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-embed-lazy__image lazyload\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/multimedia\/components\/poster\/p1249\" alt=\"College Search 101 - What Can Make College More Affordable?\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-embed-lazy__caption\"> \t\t\t<i class=\"wp-embed-lazy__icon icon icon-play\"><\/i> \t\t\t<span class=\"wp-embed-lazy__trigger-label\">Play Video<\/span> \t\t\t<span class=\"wp-embed-lazy__title\">College Search 101 &#8211; What Can Make College More Affordable?<\/span> \t\t<\/figcaption><\/a> <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/college-decision-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Evaluating colleges<\/a> and planning for costs can feel like a lot, but by <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/high-school-juniors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">starting early<\/a>, applying for aid, and comparing options, you\u2019ll set yourself up for success. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Investing in college is investing in YOU\u2014and with the right plan, you can make it affordable.<\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Have questions? St. Olaf\u2019s financial aid team is here to help.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"btn btn--sm site-footer__btn\" href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/financialaid\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__micronavbutton panel panel-micronavbutton site-section__bg--default\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"micronavbutton\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t    <div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none micronavbutton\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters\"\n\t     data-depth=\"0\"\n\t     data-name=\"buttons\"\n\t     data-livetext\n\t>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/faqs\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">FAQ<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-cranberry\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/what-we-look-for\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">WHAT WE LOOK FOR<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-purple\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/apply\/timeline\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">APPLICATION TIMELINE<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\n\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p><!-- end-migrated-from-panel-builder --><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3511,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_spp_custom_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14627","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P4vge3-3NV","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3511"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14627"}],"version-history":[{"count":286,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15204,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14627\/revisions\/15204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/admissions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}