ASK THE EXPERT

As told to Plain Dealer reporter Teresa Dixon Murray

Higher education is the top investment we can make in ourselves and our future. Even in the best of times, most families pay for college through a patchwork of savings, current income, loans, grants, scholarships and/or work-study from federal and private sources. A little effort can pay off big time in closing your daughter's $12,000-per-year gap through one or more of the following sources:

Federal aid

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the tool to explore every federal parent and student loan, grant and work-study financial aid option. Early in each new year is the perfect time to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov. )

Grants are the best type of federal aid. They don't need to be repaid. Think of grants as gifts. Examples include the federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Occupation Grant (FSEOG) and the National SMART Grant for high-achieving students in math and science.

Next best are work-study opportunities (as long as a job doesn't interfere with academics), and need-based Perkins and Subsidized Stafford loans for students, and PLUS loans for parents. Need-based loans have the lowest interest rates and deferred repayment options.

Last but not least is the Unsubsidized Stafford loan, which is not based on financial need. Many families qualify for this type of federal student aid. The interest rate is competitive, but repayment is not postponed or subsidized by the government as with the Subsidized Stafford.

After filing the FAFSA, you will receive a "Student Aid Report" summarizing the aid available for the coming school year. Aid is granted one year at a time.

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