College Costs

When helping your child select colleges, don't focus on the price tag. Instead, focus on how much will come out of your own pocket. To accurately assess the cost of a college, you need to know: The sticker price. How much financial aid you will receive.

Financing College

Financial need is the gap between the cost of going to a certain college (known as the cost of attendance) and what your family is expected to pay.

College Savings Plans

Saving or your child's education has become easier in recent years. State sponsored 529 plans and Upromise rewards are a couple of options to start saving.

IN THE SUMMER
  • Get a summer job to save money for college.
  • Register and attend a college orientation session.
  • Notify the financial aid office of the loans you’ll be receiving.

Full College Planning Calendar

In the Fall
  • Register for SAT/ACT, if necessary.
  • Ask for letters of recommendation to include in your admissions and scholarship applications.
  • “Early decision” candidates should complete college applications.

Full College Planning Calendar

In the Winter
  • Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
  • Search for additional sources of financial aid.
  • Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Full College Planning Calendar

In the Spring
  • Make a decision on the college you want to attend.
  • Verify that your final transcripts have been mailed.
  • Notify other colleges of your decision not to attend.

Full College Planning Calendar