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understanding college costs

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While researching possible schools, pay careful attention to each school's cost. Can you and your family afford it?

When considering how much college is going to cost, remember to factor in other expenses that may crop up. In addition to tuition, you'll be responsible for room and board, transportation, fees, books, and personal expenses.

To accurately assess the cost of a college, you need to know:

  • The sticker price.
  • How much financial aid you will receive.

Consider two schools:

  • College A charges $10,000 a year for tuition and room and board.
  • College B charges $20,000 a year.

Which college has the higher price tag? The answer seems obvious: College B.

Which college will cost you more? If College A offers no financial aid while College B offers $15,000, you will pay less for College B (even though it has the higher price tag).

The price of college and what's in the bill:

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