Question 2 when looking to finance higher education, what is the best order to look for funding sources?

The correct order would be :

Grants/Scholarships - Federal student loans - Private Loans

Grants/Scholarship , which mean you got somebody else pay the tuition for you and you could pursue your education for free

Federal student loans, usually in a fixed low interest rates and is really flexible in payment term

Private loans , usually in a  high interest rate and fixed payment term