()High school seniors and their parents are now in the thicket of college application season.

But these days, the cost of tuition can seem daunting: 85 percent of parents believe the cost of college is more of a financial burden than in past years, according to a College Ave Student Loans survey of 1,072 parents conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights. Many families don’t realize the many financial aid options and options that are available to them.

“Don’t let the ‘sticker price’ of a college sway you from applying,”Joe DePaulo is the co-founder and CEO of College Ave Student Loans.

“The college ‘sticker price’ typically refers to the published annual cost of attendance for any given school, which includes tuition, fees, and an average estimate of other related costs like room and board. The actual price families will pay depends on how much financial aid they receive which will be unique for each family,”He says.

Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) form. Many families skip filling out this form, believing it is too laborious for little return.

FAFSA is not to be afraid

You could risk losing financial aid by not filling out this vital government form. You might not receive the financial aid you need because some financial aid programs operate on a first come, first served basis. It is important to complete this form as soon as possible before the October 1 deadline.

College Ave Student Loans, which offers private, easy-to-understand student loans, says there are many other reasons to ensure the FAFSA is a part of your fall financial assistance game.

– Get more financial assistanceThis form is required by some schools in order to be considered for merit aid.

More optionsFAFSA must be completed by students who plan to apply for Federal Stafford Loans (or Federal PLUS Loans) first.

Continue applying for scholarships

Students and parents can also supplement their financial aid plans with scholarships beyond the FAFSA. Many scholarships are open to rolling applications throughout the year. Every bit helps. College Ave Student Loans gives students the chance to win $1,000 scholarships each month through their website.

Create a balanced college list

College Ave suggests that you apply to many schools. This will increase your chances of finding a school that is within your financial means and possibly offer you better financial aid.

College Ave Student Loans is a quick and easy way to get student loans to cover college expenses if grants, scholarships or federal loans are not enough. Online applications are available for parents and students. They can get a reply in less than 3 minutes with no application or origination fee.

Visit the following website for information on college financial assistance planning, tips for filling in the FAFSA, as well as other loan opportunities. collegeavestudentloans.com.