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Funding Your Education A Guided Self-Assessment

6 minute read
Stick figure holding a map with a lightbulb with a dollar sign in it above their head

 

A quick story to start

Many learners begin with a rough idea of how they’ll pay for school—maybe tuition and books are covered, but other costs like childcare, transportation, or unexpected expenses haven’t been factored in yet. Taking a few minutes to think through the bigger picture can help prevent surprises and build confidence in your plan.

This guide walks you through simple steps to get your gears turning toward clarity and next steps.

How to use this guide

  • Read each section and jot quick notes in a notebook or your phone.

  • Treat this like a 20-minute roadmap.

  • By the end, you’ll have a clear next step and fewer unknowns.

✨ Note: Even if you don’t write anything down, simply reviewing these steps will get your gears turning toward what comes next.

5 Step Success Image

Current Plan Concerns Cost Next Steps Action

 

Step 1: Capture your current plan 

Do you have a plan for paying for school? Write it down—whether it’s solid, partial, or just ideas.

Area of Opportunity What's the plan?
Savings  
Scholarships or grants  
Loans  
Employer support  
Work-study or side income  
Other options  

 

💡 Coach’s Tip: It’s okay if this list feels incomplete. Today’s snapshot is a starting point, not the finish line.

Step 2: Name your concerns

  • What are your biggest concerns about paying for school?

  • How confident do you feel right now about your ability to fund your education?

Confidence scale (choose where you land today):
1 = No plan, unsure where to start
2 = Some ideas, but unclear
3 = Pieces of a plan, still gaps
4 = Plan mostly works, some questions remain
5 = Clear plan, confident moving forward

💡 Coach’s Tip: Concerns are normal. Writing them down turns them into a to-do list you can work through. You may also find it powerful to say your phrase out loud—it can help you fully acknowledge your situation and take ownership of your next step.

Step 3: Build your cost picture 

Think beyond tuition. Which of these do you have numbers for? Which are still blank?

  • Tuition & fees

  • Books & materials

  • Living costs (housing, food, utilities)

  • Childcare or family costs

  • Transportation/travel

  • Other essentials (internet, licensing exams, uniforms, equipment)

Reflection: Which cost would you least want to be surprised by?

💡 Coach’s Tip: Each unknown is simply a question for your financial aid office—not a barrier.

Step 4: Choose your next step

From your notes, pick one small step you can take this week:

Steps Why it matters How to start
Contact financial aid  Answers on deadlines, eligibility, and funding options Call or email the financial aid office
Complete FAFSA Required for most aid, scholarships, and loans Apply at studentaid.gov
Search scholarships/grants Access free funding opportunities Explore Scholarships.com or CareerOneStop
Compare payment plans/work-study Reduce upfront costs and potentially add income Ask financial aid about available programs
Draft a simple budget Build confidence and control over money Try Federal Student Aid’s Budgeting Tips

💡 Coach’s Tip: One step in 20 minutes is better than five perfect ideas left undone.

Step 5: Reflect and take action 

  • What do you want to feel more certain about after doing this?

  • Write a single-sentence commitment: “This week, I will ______.”

💡 Coach’s Tip: Keeping your goal small and time-bound helps momentum build naturally

Helpful links (keep handy)

(Tip: If unsure which FAFSA year to file or how summer term works, ask your school’s financial aid office directly.)