If you're working your way through NGPF's Semester Course in term 2 of your school year, you're likely approaching Unit 6 Paying for College sometime soon. And if you're not teaching the Semester Course, it's still the perfect time of year to integrate this personal finance learning into whatever you are teaching. Here are 7 things we love about the essential topic of how to pay for college...

1. Paying for College 101 -- Our favorite part of this lesson is the Intro video, After Grad: Work or College? because it's corny and fun, and because it makes it clear that your post-high school plans should be reflective of your interests and your skills. If you have students in your class who won't be attending a college or university, you'll also want to check out the NGPF mini unit Alternatives to 4-Year Colleges. 
2. Applying for the FAFSA -- Though it's probably late in the year for your students to just now be filling out the FAFSA, they may not have known to take a close look at their Student Aid Report or really understood what is meant by the Expected Family Contribution. Both of those topics are included in this lesson with stellar articles from Nerdwallet. But, speaking of FAFSA, there's a new, updated version expected to launch in December 2023, which it seems will delay the "first day of FAFSA" that has traditionally been October 1st. NGPF is keeping fully up-to-date on these changes and will update all of our materials accordingly as more details are released! 
3. Scholarships and Grants -- Do you know the answer to this popular Question of the Day? 
4. Student Loans -- The resources curated into lesson 4 are all terrific, but I'd encourage you to click View Answer Key instead, because the Do More / Learn More section of this lesson guide is really top notch. There you'll find a creative project where students make their own loan infographic, the FinCap Friday Got Student Loans? You're Not Alone, links to the Personal Finance Dictionary, quizlet sets, and even a math activity around the Central Tendency of College Costs. In every NGPF lesson, Do More / Learn More is the best place to look for all the "extras." 
5. Financial Aid Packages -- Every financial aid package is going to look different, which is why it's so important to learn how to read the FINE PRINT, which is featured as the Do It portion of lesson 5. 
6. Student Loan Repayment -- Honestly, every part of this lesson is SO important, as you likely have many students about to take on student loan debt, and some may not have thought through what repayment will look like in their future budgets. 
7. Time for Payback -- The last lesson in the unit is an opportunity for students to pay award winning game Payback, available in both English and Spanish for game play and the accompanying worksheet. 

If you yourself could benefit from a brush up on the paying for college process, we have four 1-hour On-Demand professional developments available on FAFSA, loan repayment, financial aid offers, and alternatives to 4-year college. All free, all available any time on your own schedule, and all eligible for NGPF Academy Credit. 

About the Author

Jessica Endlich

When I started working at Next Gen Personal Finance, it's as though my undergraduate degree in finance, followed by ten years as an educator in an NYC public high school, suddenly all made sense.