Know the costs before you attend

Will you need a couple hundred dollars to buy books, or a couple thousand dollars? Learn as much as you can about the costs of attending college before you start.

All schools must publish the cost of attendance for their students. Look up the cost of attendance at the schools you are considering. This estimate is created by financial aid offices to help you budget what it will cost to survive as an average student at their institution for the academic year. Many schools now use the Department of Education’s Shopping Sheet Links to an external site., a standardized form that simplifies the information you receive from your financial aid office.

It costs more than just tuition to attend college. Costs can be broken down into direct costs — expenses charged to you directly by the school, such as tuition, fees and housing — and indirect costs like books, gas and toiletries. Your school budget should account for both types of expenses.

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