Planning for college and understanding financial aid

The start of a new school year is an exciting opportunity for high school students and their families to start planning for college. From understanding financial aid to exploring college-level opportunities, preparing early can help make the transition from high school to college feel more manageable.

One important step is becoming familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Families may have questions about when to complete the form or whether they will qualify. Students do not need to have their college plans completely figured out before completing FAFSA.

Students can also get a head start on college through ASU Universal Learner Courses (ULCs). ULCs give students an opportunity to take online ASU courses and earn college credit while still exploring their interests and preparing for higher education. Courses are designed by ASU faculty and are available in areas including STEM, humanities, business and leadership.

ULCs are designed to make college-level learning more accessible and flexible. Students can enroll online without submitting an application, with the option to add the course and grade to an ASU transcript if they are satisfied with their grade. This means students can experience college-level coursework while having the flexibility to decide whether they want the course added to their transcript.