Nearing College—Your Prep Starts Here

You’ve got big life goals—like getting into your dream school. From planning and paying, to application and acceptance, here’s what you need to know.

Guidance that grows with you

Education and money management go hand in hand. We’re here to support you in the classroom and beyond.

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Start your college search

Find your best-fit college with the College Match tool from College Raptor®, Citizens’ college planning platform. Get college matches based on cultural and geographical preferences, majors, GPA, test scores, and more.

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How to choose a college

Choose a college with confidence. From asking the right questions to taking campus tours, get started finding your dream school with these simple steps.

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College app deadlines, explained

EA, ED, or Regular Decision? Which should you apply under? Here’s what you need to know about the different college application deadlines.

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10 ways to improve your admissions chances

Do you have a 3.5 GPA and participate in school activities? You’re already halfway to a great college app. See what else you can do to stand out.

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Find your true cost of college

Tuition, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, and other living expenses—find out how much your education will really cost.

Products and tools for college bound students.

Citizens and College Raptor®, Citizens’ college planning platform, have the tools and products you need to help you plan and prep for what’s next.

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Win scholarships for college from Citizens and College Raptor®

Boost your college fund with scholarships from Citizens and College Raptor. Each month, one student will win $2,500 from Citizens, plus one annual grand prize of $15,000 for school expenses. Also, enter to win College Raptor's quarterly $2,500 scholarship for school expenses. No purchase necessary.

Apply now and start planning for what’s next.

Scholarship Search

Find billions of dollars available in institutional, private, and government scholarships, all in one place. See how much you could be eligible for.

Majors Search

Your degree should align with your passions and future goals. College Raptor’s Majors Search helps you discover top schools for your major, program insights, career paths, and more.

Financial Aid Offer Comparison

Compare your financial aid award letters side-by-side. Cut through complex, confusing terminology and see which school is giving you the best offer.

Student Checking

Under 25, and ready to take banking off your to-do list—now with Citizens Paid Early®, which could let you get paid sooner—up to 2 days early.

Citizens Student Loans®^

With flexible repayment terms and perks like interest rate discounts and no application fees, we can help find a perfect solution for your needs.

Citizens Amp® Mastercard®

Get started building your credit1 with no annual fee2, everyday savings, and account3 and purchase protection4.

See our other helpful products and tools

Your getting-into-college questions, answered

When do you need to start your search? Well, the easy answer is, “the sooner, the better.” Starting your college search early gives you a better understanding of what it takes to get into the schools you really want. For example, most colleges look for well-rounded students. That means:

  • Getting good grades
  • Participating in extracurricular activities or volunteer work
  • Being active in the community
  • Scoring well on standardized tests

But if your goal is getting into a highly competitive school with low acceptance rates—like Harvard or Yale—you’ll likely have a more rigorous path you’ll need to take to stand out. So, starting early can set you up for success later on.

  • To get started, think about what matters most to you:
    • Do you want to stay close to home or go far away?
    • Do you already have a major picked out?
    • Do you want a big campus or small? Answering these questions can help you narrow your options.
  • Next, start your research. Try College Match from College Raptor, Citizens’ college planning platform. You’ll enter your preferences (which you’ve already thought about), add in your GPA, test scores, and any other preferences, and you’ll be matched with schools that are a fit for you.
  • Add about 10–20 schools to your list (a mix of safety, reach, and match schools).
  • When the Common App opens on August 1, start preparing to submit your applications! You’ll need to start requesting recommendation letters, take the SAT or ACT, and write a stellar application essay.
  • Try to make college visits when you have time.

Don’t miss a step! See what you need to do to start your college search if you’re starting out early as a junior, or if you’re getting started a little later as a senior.

Once those acceptance and offer letters start coming in, it’s time to start making some decisions. Here’s how you can narrow your list:

  1. Compare offer letters from each school so you can see which college gave you the best deal.
  2. Make a pros and cons list. Do each of the schools you’ve been accepted to meet your requirements for campus size, student life, major focus, geo location, or other important factors? 
  3. Consider another campus visit. Maybe you didn’t get into your top choice. When you are at the campus, does it feel comfortable to you? Can you see yourself there for the next four years? 
  4. Make a plan to pay. Talk to your family and make sure you are comfortable about affording the college you most want to attend. 
  5. Make your final decision by May 1—National Decision Day.

See what’s next after you’ve made your final decision.

If you didn’t get into your top choice school, your journey isn’t over—it just may look a little different (and could be even better!). You can:

  • Accept another of your accepted college offers. Consider visiting (or revisiting) those schools and talking to current students and alumni.
  • Consider attending a community college and try applying to your top choice next year or semester. 
  • Consider applying to a rolling admissions college.

If your “what’s next” after high school isn’t a traditional 4-year college, that’s okay. Here are some options you can explore that could still offer amazing experiences.

  1. Go to community college — Earn a two-year associate's degree for less money. It’s a great way to start a career or set up a transfer to a four-year school later.
  2. Start working — Gig work and part-time jobs don’t necessarily require a 4-year degree, so start working and saving money. Maybe you’ll find something you love! 
  3. Start at a trade school or vocational program — Learn hands-on skills for specific jobs and become an electrician, mechanic, plumber, or cosmetologist. These options are faster, affordable, and prepare you for often well-paying jobs.
  4. Online degrees — If flexibility is the reason a 4-year college wasn’t for you, online degrees could offer what you need. Study from anywhere and at your own pace while working or handling other responsibilities.
  5. Enlist in the military — The military offers a steady paycheck, free training, health benefits, and future college funding. Choose from: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. 
  6. Take a gap year — Need a break? Use a gap year to travel, work, volunteer, or explore interests. 
  7. Volunteer with the Peace Corps — Spend some time overseas helping communities while gaining real-world experience and learning about other cultures. It’s a great way to grow and give back.

If you’re still not sure about what path you should take, try exploring career options with our Career Finder. You’ll see what job skills you need for each career, expected salaries, and job growth projections.

The cost of college depends on several factors. Are you going to a public in-state university, public out-of-state university, or a private college? Then you have the “sticker price”—the price listed on the school's website, and the “net price”—the amount you’ll actually pay after federal grant aid and scholarships. 

Here's a look at recent figures for full-time undergraduate students attending 4-year colleges (full cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, and food):  

  Average Sticker Price Average Net Price
Public in-state Cost of Attendance $29,910  $20,780
Public out-of-state Cost of Attendance $49,080 Not listed
Private not-for-profit Cost of Attendance $62,990 $36,150

Source: TRENDS IN HIGHER EDUCATION SERIES Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024

While college is expensive, there are ways to help make it more affordable. We generally recommend following these steps:

  1. Start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA helps determine if you qualify for federal financial aid including, grant aid, work study, and, of course federal student loans. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal aid, it could qualify you for other state and institutional aid so you should always submit the FAFSA anyway. 
  2. Next, search and apply for grants and scholarships. There are thousands of scholarships available and millions of dollars get left on the table each year. Quick tips:
    • Scholarships can be funded by many different sources—private institutions as well as federal and state entities—and can be awarded for many different things (extracurricular accomplishments, hobbies and interests, and more).
    • Grants are typically funded by your state or federal government and are more often need-based awards. 
    • Neither scholarships nor grants need to be paid back like student loans. However, keep in mind they often have eligibility requirements that need to be met.
    • Use this scholarship search tool to find both grants and scholarships you could be eligible for. 
  3. Consider work study or part-time jobs. Between gig work and part-time work near campus, you can earn some money while you learn. Each paycheck can go a little towards tuition or housing. 
  4. Federal first! Start with federal loans first, then consider private student loans. Federal student loans tend to have lower interest rates than private student loans, generally have flexible payment options, and some could qualify for loan forgiveness. Plus, you don’t need a cosigner. Learn more about the difference between private and federal student loans and when you should apply. 

You should always apply for FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for federal aid. FAFSA is free to apply and basically the gateway into qualifying you for all types of federal aid, work study, federal student loans, and even state and institutional grant aid. If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you could be missing out on money to help make your dream school more affordable. Learn more about FAFSA and how to get started filling out the form.

We're here to help, no matter where you are in your journey

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High School

High school is full of milestones—first jobs, prom, college exams, and more. Having the right tools in your kit is key, and we’ve got them right here.

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Nearing College

If getting into your dream school is on your daily planner, we’ve got all the tips and tools you need to find, get into, and pay for college.

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In College

Discover tips for managing money, finding careers, and preparing for life post-graduation. Your success starts here.

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Beyond College

Take your next step with tips on pursuing your dream career, saving for your next big goal, or paying off those student loans.

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Contact us

Connect with a Student Loan and Checking Advisor by clicking the chat icon at the bottom of the page, calling 866-999-0077, or visiting a local branch.

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