Technical Support

Strange things happen on the screen while I browse College Answer. Sometimes, this happens on other sites, too. What's going on?
It sounds like you need to check your browser settings.

Netscape Navigator users:

• Go to the Tool Bar and select Edit > Preferences.
• Under Category, select Advanced. At the top of the screen you will see <Advanced> Change preferences that affect the entire product.
• Make sure that the first four boxes: Automatically load images, Enable Java, Enable Javascript, and Enable Style Sheets are checked. If blank, select the box and a checkmark will appear.
• Under Cookies, select Accept all Cookies.
• You can also checkmark Warn me Before Accepting a Cookie.
• Select OK.

What browser should I use?

Here is a list of supported Internet browsers.

• Internet Explorer 5.0 and higher.
• Mozilla Firefox 1.05 and higher.
• Netscape 7.0 and higher.
• AOL 5.5 and higher.

What's Adobe Acrobat^® Reader? How do I get it? How much does it cost?
Reader software allows you to view and print portable document format (PDF) files on all major computer platforms. Download your free copy of Reader at Adobe.

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Registration

Why should I register?
Registration means you can ...

• Be eligible to win a monthly $1,000 scholarship
• Receive helpful newsletters
• Run a free scholarship search
• Download checklists and handouts
• Save your research from College Answer
• Apply for student loans online
• Register Online >

How do I register on College Answer?
It's easy, from College Answer's home page select Register Now! Complete the online profile form. It's important to correctly enter your e-mail address. We contact our scholarship winners and send helpful newsletters to the address you provided. Register Online >

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Loan Application

What should I do if my school is not listed?
If you are unable to find your school:

• For U.S. schools, contact your school's financial aid office.
• For international schools, email Sallie Mae International. Remember to include school name and location.

How much money do I qualify for?
The amount of money you qualify to receive is determined by your school's financial aid office following federal guidelines.

The basics: You submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR summarizes the information provided on the FAFSA and indicates the official Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the amount you (and your family) are expected to contribute to your education.

The school subtracts the EFC from the cost of attendance (tuition, room and board, textbooks, transportation, and personal expenses) to determine financial need and the amount of your award.

It is important to note that the amount of aid awarded by the school cannot exceed your financial need. If the EFC is greater than you anticipated, you can finance the difference through several loan products.

Don't be surprised if your financial aid includes student loans. Stafford loans are the most common source of education loan funds. They are available to both undergraduate and graduate students at historically low interest rates. Read More >

What is the status of my loan application?
After Sallie Mae has received your mailed or e-signed application:

• Manage your loans at Sallie Mae (new users enroll now!).
• Follow on-screen instructions to set up your account.
• Under Pending Loan, select View Application and Disbursement Information to obtain information regarding your application.

Next, 10 days after mailing your application:

• Access manage your loans.
• View activity on your application. If you notice your loan status has not changed and you've completed the necessary steps in the financial aid process, contact your Financial Aid Office.

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Scholarships

How do I return to my scholarship search?
To view your saved scholarship search, log on, return to the Scholarship Search page, and select Search. If you are not logged on, select Log On -or- Register. Log on and select the Search.

What if I get interrupted while completing the profile?
If you get interrupted during the scholarship questionnaire, don't worry—your information will be stored and you can pick up where you left off when you return to Sallie Mae's Scholarship Search.

Why aren't there more scholarships in my search results? The number of search results that each student gets using our service depends on several factors.

First, the number of search results generated depends on the way the student profile is completed: Students who take the time to answer every question with careful thought and attention to detail will have a better chance of receiving more awards in their search results list. Students who rush through the process and don't take the time to answer each question will not.

Secondly, the number of results generated has a lot to do with your characteristics and personal information. Students with high test scores and good GPAs, active involvement and leadership roles in school activities, and flexibility in their choice of major and school will generally get more search results than students with only one or two activities and those with a very narrow view of their careers, majors, and college choices.

Our advice, given these variables, is to take your time during the E-Profile process and, of course, strive to keep those grades and test scores high. Be active and involved in service and leadership activities. And keep your options open when it comes to your major, career, and college choices.

How can we get our scholarship listed on your scholarship search?
If you are a scholarship provider and would like your awards listed in the database, send an e-mail with Scholarship Provider in the subject line. One of our professional data research analysts will contact you to explain the process of submitting a new award. There is no charge to list your scholarship in the database.

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