Don't let cost disqualify one school from another. Your "preferred" school may offer programs that can help you pay the cost.

But cost is an important criteria. You don't want to become so saddle with debt when you finish school. A less expensive school may offer the same program and benefits as the more expensive school. So do your research.

Time to consider costs

Private schools are generally more expensive than public schools. However, they also offer more aid programs that can bring the total cost down to par with other schools — especially if you have the profile they are looking for.

Your cost of attendance will include tuition, fees, room and board, books, transportation and personal expenses.

View our college cost sheet to get an estimate of college costs




• College cost profiling for your intended institution:
  compare college costs side-by-side: simply input your colleges of choice and collegeboard will profile the costs of each school www2.collegeboard.com
  
  compare colleges by region and cost:
  http://nces.ed.gov
  
  
  
• Facts about paying for college:
  learn the steps needed to qualify for college aid. Includes financial aid options from government and private sources:
  link to our financial aid center
  
  

What makes up the "Cost of Attendance": tuition class fees books and supplies room and board Other expenses to attend school: transportation clothing / personal entertainment computer entertainment

Your school is required by law to provide you the cost of attendance for an academic year. The cost includes tuition, class fees, books - supplies, and room and board.

You also need to estimate costs for other expenses:

• transportation:
  how are you going to get around? Will you have a car or motorcycle? If so, costs will include vehicle payments if any, insurance, gas and other maintenance expenses.
  
  Some students will bring their bicycle. You need to consider registration fees.
  
  If you don't have a car or motorbike, you will need to estimate the costs for public transportation use.
  
  
• personal expenses:
  you will need pocket change for a haircut, new outfit, new shoes, new book bag, and other personal items. Estimate how much you will need each month.
  
  
• entertainment:
  you can't live in the library all of the time. You will want to take a weekend to get a pizza or head to the movies. You need to budget some entertainment money for the year.
  
  
• computer:
  almost every class with require some computer work such as a term paper, mathematical spreadsheet, and classroom log-in. You can use school computer labs, but you can save a lot of time if you had your own laptop. Estimate the cost for a computer. And don't forget about the software to run the computer.
  
  
• special events:
  budget some money for those special events like going to the games, taking a weekend road trip, returning home for the holidays, moving yourself to and from college each year, etc.

Add It Up

Use the calculator below to get a rough estimate. The calculation will provide you a fairly good idea on what to expect as you finalize your decision where to attend college:

we have some great tools to use
these spreadsheets require MS Excel or something similar

1. download college cost comparison spreadsheet
   this spreadsheet allows you to compare cost and aid awarded among colleges
   
   
2. download budgeting worksheet:
   use this spreadsheet to plan and budget your monthly expenses
   
   

Let's talk money for college —
jump over to our College Financial Aid Guide

Note 1:   understand the financial aid process
Note 2:   submitting the FAFSA form for federal aid
Note 3:   review the student aid report
Note 4:   get the financial award letter
Note 5:   view financial aid options
Note 6:   apply for and manage student funds

Something Extra

What are you doing for the December holidays?

We have a fun holiday package that you can download instantly: click here: FREE download