Understanding College Costs

The cost of college can include a variety of items including some you might not expect. By understanding college costs, you can compare schools and explore options for how to lower your costs.

What is included in the cost of college?

College costs include more than tuition and food and housing. Here are common costs:

Item	Description
Tuition	The cost of taking courses. Course costs vary by school.
Food and housing	Housing and food costs vary by school.
Books and school supplies	Books can be expensive. School supplies include book bags; notebooks; pens and pencils; paper and computer paper; and desk accessories such as folders, trays, and pen holders.
Fees	Fees depend upon your school. Examples include activity fees and parking decal fees. Schools can provide a list of fees.
Equipment and room materials	This category might include a computer and printer; reading lamps; a microwave and refrigerator; and sheets, towels, etc.
Travel and miscellaneous expenses	If you commute to school, include transportation costs. If you live on campus, include travel during school breaks. You may also want to include clothing and mobile phone costs.

You can find information about whether the cost of a college is low, medium, or high by using the College Scorecard. Keep in mind that a higher-priced school might have more financial aid available to help you pay for your education, so take a look at the school’s net price if you want an idea of how much it might cost you after financial aid is taken into account.

Types of Student Aid
Learn about the most common ways to get help paying for college and trade or career school. Options include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Visit the Types of Financial Aid page on the Federal Student Aid website. You will learn about funding you can get from the government, your school, and private sources, including:
- Grants - Federal grants are sources of financial aid that generally do not have to be repaid unless your educational or financial situation changes. One of the most common is the Federal Pell Grant. Learn about the types of student grants, their eligibility requirements, and when they must be repaid.
- Scholarships - This type of free money from nonprofit and private organizations may be based on academic merit, talent, financial need, or a particular area of study. Learn about finding and applying for scholarships.
- Work-study - The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to pay for school by earning money at a part-time job. You will earn at least the current federal minimum wage at a job that may be related to your studies. Learn more about the work-study program.
- Loans - When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money that you must pay back with interest. Learn more about the available types of federal student loans and the considerations to take when applying.

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Understanding College Costs

What is included in the cost of college?

Types of Student Aid

Learn about the most common ways to get help paying for college and trade or career school. Options include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.

Visit the Types of Financial Aid page on the Federal Student Aid website. You will learn about funding you can get from the government, your school, and private sources, including:

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