College tuition is only part of the cost of college. Other expenses can add up to a significant portion of your college costs. Financial aid can reduce your costs, so a more expensive college can end up costing less than a less expensive college.

Sizing Up College Costs What's the Price Tag for a College Education?

Net Cost: The Real Story How Colleges Figure "Cost of Attendance"

The best approach to pay for college is a long-term educational savings plan. Most families, however, find it difficult to pay for college with existing savings. Learn about short- and long-term strategies to pay for college and how financial aid fits in.

Ways to Pay for College Common Ways to Pay for College Borrowing Options for College Paying in Installments Tax Breaks for College

Planning Ahead to Pay for College The Best Laid College Financing Plans Education Savings Accounts 529 College Savings Plans IRAs for College Savings Bonds for College

Many families underestimate their eligibility for financial aid. Get the facts on college financial aid, including financial aid eligibility, how to apply for financial aid, how to get the most financial aid, and how to analyze financial aid awards.

Get Started With Financial Aid What Is Financial Aid? Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) It Starts with Financial Need Does It Matter Whose Asset It Is? Debunking Myths About Financial Aid Your Declaration of Independence How to Apply for Financial Aid The All-Important FAFSA CSS PROFILE and Other Aid Applications Your Financial Aid Roadmap Tips for Your Financial Aid Forms Financial Aid Countdown

Grants and Scholarships Getting into Grants Scholarship Basics Loans and Work-Study How Work-Study Works Federal Education Loans Stafford Loans: The Largest Student Loan Program PLUS Loans for Parents Mastering Your Loan Application Understanding Your Financial Aid Award What's in a Financial Aid Package? How Colleges Package Aid I'd Like More Aid, Please

It's easy to assume that scholarships go to high-flying academic achievers or exceptionally needy students. Truth is, there are plenty of ways to qualify for scholarships. Learn how to conduct a productive scholarship search, find scholarships you are eligible for, create winning scholarship applications, and watch out for scholarship scams.

Scholarship Essentials Scholarship Basics Where the Bucks Are: "Private" Scholarships Scholarships Offered by Colleges The Bottom Line: How Much Can You Get? Popular Scholarship Myths Finding and Getting Scholarships Finding Scholarships You Qualify For It's Not Just About Your GPA... Scholarship Application Tips Watch Out for Scholarship Scams

Read the Fine Print Renewable or Not: A Critical Distinction Using Scholarship Money: What's Allowed? Scholarships with Strings Attached Are You Eligible? Unusual Scholarships Your Major Matters I'm Eligible If I Live Where? The Scoop on National Merit Scholarships Athletic Scholarships ROTC Scholarships