Three MEFA employees who have helped their own children through the college planning process provide advice on looking at schools, staying organized, keeping calm and staying balanced, applying, and paying. …

Use this tool to keep track of school names, admissions deadlines, required standardized tests (if any), required financial aid applications, financial aid deadlines, and notes.…

Factors to consider include money, time, financial aid, if you apply early decision, if you want a specific program, if you have specific needs, and if you apply to selective colleges. …

Before you designate one college as your ultimate dream school, consider if it's realistic, if the school has programs you are interested in, if the school can provide you with the resources needed to succeed, if you'll be satisfied in the long run, and if it's the right financial fit. …

In honor of College Decision Day, MEFA staff members shared how they made their final decision of where to attend college and the factors that contributed to that decision, including cost, location, programs offered, and campus size. …

Learn about online colleges and degree programs, what they offer, what advantages they provide, how they're structured, and how they compare to a traditional college. …

Learn how interviews can help students assert their voice and share their passions, and what the two biggest obstacles to interviews are - schools' varying policies and urban legends about trick questions. …

A College Applicant Portal contains key, personal information for every applicant at a college and allows you to update contact information, monitor application status, upload and track documents, and view the decision on the application. …

Learn how MassTransfer can make a bachelor's degree more affordable. what the benefits are based on GPA, and how to take the next steps of planning, applying, and enrolling to a Massachusetts 4-year public college or university. …

Tips include know your colleges, know your deadlines, schedule appointments, make a checklist, know your passwords, have a resume ready, and more.…