Funding

College Is The Biggest Investment You Will Make

Let us help you plan how to fund a SAGE Scholars college education:

Use our custom SAGE Calculators to prepare for the future
Learn the terms used by financial aid offices
Read helpful tips about paying for college
Determine which factors to consider when looking at college costs

Learn More About College Affordability

Funding vs Financial Aid

Families need to know three numbers:

The total annual Cost of Attendance (COA). Tuition, room and board, books, transportation, and miscellaneous.
How much colleges are willing to assist. Scholarships, Loans, Student Employment. Colleges call this "Financial Aid."
How much families are expected to pay from their own resources - Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Savings, investments, current income, loans. SAGE Scholars calls this "College Funding;" the annual amount families have to pay of the total Cost of Attendance (COA) after colleges offer their Financial Aid packages (scholarships, loans, work).

College Funding Tools

Investment Options, Tax Strategies, Cash Flow Possibilities

SAGE Calculators

SAGE Scholars Unique College Funding & Borrowing Calculators

Savings vs Borrowing Calculator

Use this calculator to compare the total cost of saving vs borrowing for your student's college.

Beyond Financial Aid

Funding Strategies for College Costs

A reasonable person would assume that the cost of an undergraduate education would be easy to calculate: take the published price of annual tuition, room and board, fees, books and miscellaneous travel, entertainment and so forth and multiply that amount times four years.

Unfortunately, calculating the "True Cost" is more complicated. Learn how to plan, save, and pay for your students college education in Beyond Financial Aid.

Articles & Advice

Featured Articles from Financial Wellness & Planning

Affordability: Factors to Consider When Comparing College Costs

Key factors that reveal why private schools can offer surprising value and strong career outcomes.

Ten Minute Professor: A 5th Year of College Is Expensive

How choosing the right college can help your student graduate in four years, avoid extra debt, and start their career on time.

SAGE Scholars Member Colleges Among Nations Top Study Abroad Schools

We've put together some considerations to make when comparing study abroad programs and reasons why studying abroad really maximizes your college experience.