.svg){kind=icon}
- Research Colleges & Universities
How are we doing?
👍
👎
file your FAFSA</a>. Luckily, there are several college net price calculators that can give you a rough estimate.</p>
<p><img src=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/asset.plexuss.com/news/images/actual-cost-of-college.jpg" alt="Actual Cost of College" width="400" height="250" /></p>
<h2>College Net Price Calculators</h2>
<p>A college net price calculator takes the sticker price of a college, your family’s financial information, and available federal and college-based aid into consideration. It’s the most accurate way to compare college costs.</p>
<p>To find the net price calculator for your college, visit the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx">U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator Center</a>. Just type in the name of your school to be taken to their net price calculator. You’ll need to enter details about your family and your family’s finances. At some schools, you also need to include your SAT scores and GPA to determine potential academic scholarships you qualify for.</p>
<p>The calculator doesn’t show you the aid money that you’re guaranteed to get. What it does show you is what students like yourself paid to attend the college last year.</p>
<h2>Is the Calculated Net Price What I Actually Have to Pay?</h2>
<p>In most cases, the calculated net cost of college is not the amount of money you will need to pay out of pocket. The actual amount is likely a little lower. Plus, out-of-pocket doesn’t mean draining your savings account.</p>
<p>While the net cost takes your scholarship and grant money into consideration, it doesn’t account for other forms of financial aid like federal student loans or the federal work-study program.</p>
<p><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/what-are-student-loans-private-vs-federal">Federal student loans</a> are low-interest loans offered by the government for educational costs. You must pay these loans back after graduation, so they’re still a cost to you. It’s just delayed. Federal work-study is also available to eligible students. Funded by the government, this program gives students part-time on-campus jobs to help with educational costs. You don’t get the money upfront, but rather it’s spread throughout the year in a regular paycheck.</p>
<p>The calculated net cost of college also includes expenses that might not apply to you. For example, the sticker price (and thus the net cost) includes estimations for the cost of books, supplies, and transportation. Those three together could equal upwards of $5,000.</p>
<p>In reality, books and supplies might only cost you $600. Transportation costs might be zero if you don’t plan to leave campus. That’s $4,400 you can chop off the net price. The net price the calculator spits out is just a starting point.</p>
<h3>When in Doubt, Ask</h3>
<p>Colleges aren’t all as expensive as they first appear. Before narrowing down colleges based on price, run the numbers. The school with the hefty price tag may have a lot of financial aid to offer you.</p>
<p>If you’re unsure about whether you can afford to go somewhere, speak with someone at the school. Net price varies for each student. During your on-campus visit or in an email to financial aid, ask for more detailed information about costs. Ask what the average student pays to attend the college and about school-based aid money like need-based and merit scholarships. Jot down deadlines for scholarships so that you don’t miss out.</p>
</div>"/>
