(单词翻译:单击)
One of the smartest things you can do -- besides getting a college degree -- is to find the least expensive way to pay for it. Following these guidelines will help.
除了获得大学文凭之外，你能做的最明智的事情之一就是找到支付大学费用的成本最低的方法。下面这些建议可以帮助你。
You Will Need
你需要
Internet access
能够上网
Information on aid
关于援助的信息
scholarships
奖学金
and loans
贷款
Healthy debt-management habits
健康的债务管理习惯
Steps
步骤
STEP 1 Apply for federal aid
1.申请联邦救助
Before you even think about student loans, find out how much free money you can get. Begin by applying for need-based federal aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which uses your family's tax information to determine your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Based on your EFC, you'll find out how much financial assistance you're entitled to. FAFSA application deadlines vary from state to state; make sure you check. Millions of dollars in student financial aid go unclaimed each year by eligible students simply because they didn’t apply for them.
在申请学生贷款之前，先看看能无偿获得多少钱的资助。开始申请按需提供的联邦救助。先申请联邦学生助学金，根据家庭税收信息来决定你的家庭贡献估算。根据该评估来确定你可以得到多少资助。联邦助学金申请日期各州有所不同，一定要提前确认。每年有数百万美元联邦助学金未被有资格的学生认领，因为他们没有申请。
Go to "custudentloans.org":http://www.custudentloans.org/ for a comprehensive list of links to federal and other financial aid websites.
登录该网站了解联邦和其他财政资助网站详细列表。
STEP 2 Search for scholarships
2.申请奖学金
Look for local and private scholarships and grants. In addition to rewards for academic and athletic achievement, plus funds set up for minorities, there are all kinds of scholarships for specific abilities and talents.
申请当地和私人奖学金和资助。除了奖励学习和运动方面的成就，以及为少数民族人群设立的基金，还有针对所有特殊能力和天赋的奖学金。
Ask the financial aid office at the school you'll be attending if they offer any scholarships or grants.
向你即将就读的学校财政资助办公室了解他们是否提供奖学金。
STEP 3 Apply for a federal loan
3.申请联邦贷款
If you need a student loan, look into federal government loans first, which are guaranteed without a credit check or cosigner and offer fixed interest rates. Need-based loans like Perkins and Subsidized Stafford loans don't accrue interest while you’re in school, while Parent Plus and unsubsidized Stafford loans do.
如果你需要学生贷款，先申请联邦政府贷款，不需信用审查或联合签署，并提供调整利率。按需提供的贷款，例如普金斯贷款和津贴斯坦福联邦贷款在你读书期间不收取利息，而联邦父母贷款和无补助的斯坦福贷款则计算利息。
STEP 4 Seek private lending
4.寻求私人借贷
Still facing a gap to pay for school? Explore private lending options. Private loans have variable interest rates and a 15- to 20-year repayment window. Most lenders offer interest rate reductions and other benefits, such as cosigner release, for borrowers that demonstrate responsible repayment habits.
要支付上学费用仍差一些钱？寻求私人借贷。私人贷款利息多种多样，偿还期限介于15年至20年间。大部分贷款方乐意为表现出负责任的偿还习惯的借款人提供减息和其他优惠，比如免于连署保证。
Credit unions are a good alternative to banks for private loans. They often offer lower interest rates and promote financial literacy and healthy borrower habits.
对于私人贷款来说，信誉联盟是除了银行之外的另一个选择。他们通常提供较低的利率，推广理财素养和健康的借贷习惯。
STEP 5 Understand the debt you're taking on
5.了解你所承担的债务
Understand how much debt you're taking on, including how much you're going to owe in interest; when you have to start paying it back; and the benefits and consequences of deferring repayment. When comparing Cost of Attendance (COA) across different schools, don't forget to factor in expenses beyond tuition, like housing, meals, books, and school supplies.
弄清楚你承担了多少债务，包括应付多少利息，何时应该开始偿还，延迟偿还会面临的后果。各所学校的就读成本进行对比时，不要忘记考虑除了学费之外的费用，比如住宿，餐饮，书籍和学校补给品。
STEP 6 Pay it off early
6.尽早偿还
Consider a plan that requires you to start repaying while you're still in school; just $25 a month can lower your interest rate, and substantially reduce your debt load down the line. Plus, borrowers who begin repayment before graduation develop better debt management habits than those who defer payment -- something that will serve you well throughout your life.
考虑要求你在学校期间就开始偿还的计划：每月25美元就可以降低你的利率，并且长期来看可以大大减少你的债务负担。此外，毕业前就开始偿还的借款人比延迟偿还的人容易养成更好的债务管理习惯，这样的习惯会让你受益终生。
