In April 2000, Sallie Mae^® launched an Internet initiative to help students, families, and guidance professionals plan and pay for college. This is an important, though sometimes confusing and intimidating process for students and families, and a never-ending administrative challenge for today's high school guidance professionals.

College Answer is presented by Sallie Mae and provides superior content and functionality, and a wide array of solutions for planning and paying for college. The site guides users through the entire process — from early planning and estimating, to applying for federal and private loans online. Reflecting Sallie Mae's unique position as a trusted institution in the student loan industry, College Answer is designed to be the reliable, objective resource for anyone interested in a higher education.

College Answer has the tools necessary for students and parents to plan for all aspects of higher education, and we are committed to being the most comprehensive paying for college site on the Internet.

College Answer’s easy-to-navigate, tabular design helps visitors quickly find the information they need most.

Preparing
Helps students to begin thinking about what they want to do past high school. Features self-assessment tools and content, information on careers and what it will take to get there, ways to prepare for the admission process, standardized entrance testing, and tips on how to pay for college.

Selecting
Provides the important information students and parents need to choose a college (e.g., size, location, programs offered, cost, etc.). This section includes the details on over 4,000 postsecondary institutions, study broad, distance learning, grad school, and resources for minority students.

Applying
Assists students with the application process. Features advice on obtaining recommendations, highlighting accomplishments, staying organized, and keeping on schedule.

Paying
Provides an overview of the costs associated with attending college. From here, students and parents can explore numerous sources of aid, gather hints on applying for aid, search for scholarships, and understand long-term saving options such as state pre-paid tuition plans. This section also includes several interactive tools to assist with estimating the total cost of college (now and in the future), estimating the expected family contribution (EFC), understanding their ability to afford a particular school through existing resources and analyzing their potential debt burden.

Deciding
Helps students understand and evaluate their acceptance and award letters. The interactive tool in this section allows users to compare up to five financial aid award packages, and understand the “out-of-pocket” costs of attending a school, so they can make informed choices.

Financing
Walks students and parents through the loan process by educating them about their options, and informing them of required steps, and responsible management of student loans. This section also allows students and parents to apply for federal and private loans online.

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