THE COST OF, AND PAYING FOR, COLLEGE
Note: If links on this page are broken, please let me know via my contact page. I’ll check them and make sure they are removed or changed if needed. Sometimes a different browser or machine (phone vs. computer, for example) will lead to different results. If links really don’t work, try searching for articles you want to read using the reference info here. Links often change but titles and publishers shouldn’t.​
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This sub-page of my College Search Resources hierarchy includes many articles on the cost of college, paying for it and making it more affordable.
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​​Articles about the cost and affordability of college
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“How To Read Your Financial Aid Award Letter,” Bankrate: Oct 14, 2024.
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“Should I Take Out Student Loans? How To Decide,” Bankrate: Oct 14, 2024.
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“Why many college students are forced to spend more on housing than tuition,” PBS News: Sept 30, 2024. Note: UT Austin is highlighted but this is a problem in many places. Investigate housing costs as you make your application list.
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“How To Fill Out The CSS Profile And Unlock More Financial Aid,” Forbes: Sept 30, 202 Note: Many colleges use the CSS as a supplement to the FAFSA or on its own. This piece is well worth reading.
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“What are strategies for paying for college? | Vox: Sept 19, 2024. Note: This could go on several of my resource pages. Very very helpful read for those admitted and those thinking about college.
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“Why do colleges cost so much?” the Morning Brew: Sept 15, 2024. Note: A short but accurate discussion insofar as it goes.
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“The CSS Profile: What You Need To Know,” Bankrate: Aug 22, 2024.
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​“Education Department delays release of financial aid form — again,” Politico: Aug 7, 2024.
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“What I Wish I Knew Before Moving to Germany for College - Business Insider: Aug 6, 2024. Note: Major moves whether out of country or to a different part of the US may carry surprises. Do your research as best you can.
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“What Is Net Price For College?” Bankrate: July 30, 2024. Note: A VERY INFORMATIVE READ. NET PRICE CALCULATORS CAN BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL IN MAKING YOUR LISTS AND CHOICES.
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“Student Loan Interest Rates: Everything You Need to Know,” Money: July 29, 2024. Note: Maybe not *everything* but a very helpful read.
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“Financial Aid Award Letters: What You Need to Know in 2024,” Business Insider: July 28, 2024. Note: AN EXTREMELY USEFUL READ!
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“Pennsylvania State University students to pay more in tuition while attending main campus - 6abc Philadelphia: July 20, 2024. Note: This means the vote to freeze tuition highlighted in the Efforts to Make College More Affordable section will last only one year.
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“Higher Education Is Expensive, But It Doesn’t Have To Be Inaccessible — Here's A Guide To Maximize The Financial Aid Process,” AfroTech: July 18, 2024. Note: Useful advice for anyone thinking about financial aid. Step I, fill out the FAFSA! Is definitely worth doing.
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“Sending a Child to College? 10 Money-Saving Tips and Tricks | Kiplinger: July 16, 2024. Note: This piece is well worth reading.
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“If you still need money for college and haven’t submitted a FAFSA, fill it out ASAP, financial aid expert says,” CNBC: July 17, 2024. Note: This is always good advice unless the submission deadline has passed altogether.
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“Rutgers board votes to raise tuition for coming school year,” NBC10 Philadelphia: July 9, 2024. Note: This tuition increase is for 2024-5. It should have been set before decision day. Seek timely tuition changes from your state system.
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[possible paywall]“Many universities are abandoning race-conscious scholarships worth millions,” The Washington Post: July 9, 2024. Note: although this is true, SEE THE WORK-AROUNDS SOME CAMPUSES ARE TRYING TOWARD THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
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“Four ways to cover college without taking on debt | The Week: July 4, 2024. Note: Lots of useful advice here for all students but particularly for younger people who plan to go to college.
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“FAFSA applications dipped in California. Here’s what to do if you still need money for school | LAist: July 3, 2024. Note: If you live in California this advice may be useful. If not, this article is worth reading to see if similar programs exist in your state.
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“Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money,” Daily Montanan: Jun 30, 2024. Note: These degrees have positives and negatives. Research the pluses and minuses and see if your campuses of interest offer them.
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“Federal Vs. Private Student Loans,” Bankrate: Jun 30, 2024. Note: Bankrate always does useful pieces that compare the pros and cons of Federal and private student loans. This is one of them.
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“How To Secure Last-Minute Financial Aid This Summer,” Forbes: Jun 28, 2024. Note: There’s a lot of useful advice here and a very useful link to an enrollments deadline directory (see general resources) as well.
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“Fall tuition bill? 4 steps to help keep the stress out of paying for school,” VT Digger: Jun 27, 2024. Note: The advice herein is good, so seems to be the VT service that provides it. See if your state has something similar.
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“10 Costs To Expect In Your First Year Of College,” Bankrate: Jun 27, 2024. Note: Other than the estimate on clothes (which is very low), these warnings about non-tuition costs are reasonable.
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“NU Regents approve inflationary tuition increases, millions in cuts for 2024-25 budget • Nebraska Examiner: Jun 19, 2024. Note: If you want to go to any college you should track its policy on cost of attendance, particularly if you’re thinking out-of-state public schools and relatively poorly funded private ones.
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“The Best Grants For College Students,” Bankrate: Jun 18, 2024. Note: Grants are always a good thing to get. Read this to learn how and why.
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“Need FAFSA advice? Adams State can help with that.” Chalkbeat: Jun 17, 2024. Note: Many colleges have programs like this. If you need help with the FAFSA, ask if yours does.
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“How to pick a good, affordable college before applying,” CNN Business: Jun 17, 2024. Note: A great deal of very useful advice herein.
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“Could Your Name Get You a Free ride to College? See This Unlikely Tuition Loophole,” The Daily Mail: Jun 22, 2024. Note: I don’t usually touch on scholarships but these (and those with foci on what parents do etc) are unique enough to be worth researching for many.
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“How much students actually pay to attend Yale,” CNBC: Jun 16, 2024.
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Note: Use net price calculators to figure out what you will owe in your financial circumstances at any college you want to attend.
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“7 Tips For How To Get A Full College Scholarship,” Bankrate: Jun 14, 2024.
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Note: Lots of honest advice here.
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“Federal versus private student loans: What to consider,” CNBC: Jun 8, 2024.​
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“Tennessee extents FAFSA deadline again,” Axios Nashville: Jun 6, 2024.​
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“Most Chicago parents paying at least half kids' college tuition - Axios Chicago: Jun 6, 2024.Note: This is likely true nation-wide. Talk through net costs and options with your family as college decisions are made.
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“8 Common FAFSA Mistakes And How To Avoid Them,” CNBC: Mar 17, 2023.
Note: Lots of good advice here, the key point being, make sure to fill it out! -
“How To Switch To A STEM Career" | Bankrate: Feb 24, 2023.
Note: Many STEM careers pay well but often require training. Read this to see how you can pay for it -
“What is a 1098-E form? About the student loan interest statement,” USA Today: Jan 27, 2023.
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Note: College health charges can be a large unexpected cost. Find out what your potential schools demand for on-campus health services.
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“10 ways to save money on college costs,” Reviewed: Oct 7, 2022.
Note: Useful advice here. -
“Michigan Creates A Robust And Unique Free College Program,” Forbes: Oct 7, 2022.
Note: See the article for information on what the article notes is a relatively complicated initiative. -
“Grads from these colleges have the most debt: report,” The Hill: Oct 2, 2022.
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“FAFSA Guide for Maximum Financial Aid in 2022,” Moneywise.com: Oct 1, 2022.
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“California Colleges are Creating Centers to Assist Students With Their Basic Needs,” KQED: Aug 14, 2022.
Note: This discusses centers at UC, CSU and California community colleges and what they do for students who need their services. -
“College Guide: Tax and Legal Matters Every Parent Should Know,” The Street: Aug 4, 2022.
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“How to Get a Free or Cheap Laptop for College,” Lifehacker: Aug 3, 2022.
Note: points to resources that may be helpful if you qualify for financial help in this area. -
“Clever Ways to Save When Your Kid Is off at College - Consumer Reports
Note: Some ideas are relevant to campus expenses some relevant to saving on expenses for the people still at home. -
“Several Public Universities Reject Tuition Increases, Freeze Prices For Upcoming Year,” Forbes: June 16, 2022.
Note: Includes word on the Universities of Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, VATech, and Wisconsin among others. -
“Tuition, fees continues to rise as pandemic inflation woes hit colleges,” NBC News: Feb 6, 2022.
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“High school grads missed out on $3.75 billion of college money last year,” NerdWallet Via MarketWatch: Jan 31, 2022. Note: The takehome? FILL OUT THE FAFSA! If you didn’t last year you missed out on $4,440+ in aid you should have gotten.
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“Financial Aid Offers Are Negotiable. Here's How to Ask Colleges for More Money (and Get It),” Money: Apr 10, 2021.
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“Why Did My Student Financial Aid Decrease?,” Forbes: Apr 2, 2021.
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“Your Guide to Decoding Financial Aid Letters and Choosing a College You Can Afford,” Money: Mar 31, 2021.
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“These kids were surprised with college scholarships. Here's how you can apply,” ABC News: Mar 31, 2021.
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“Here's why more employers are offering student loan repayment assistance,” Fox business: Mar 30, 2021.
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“College costs are skyrocketing. Here's how to figure out what you can afford,” Today: Mar 30, 2021.
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“College in Utah will cost more next fall — with one exception, Deseret News: Mar 27, 2021.
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“Affording College During A Pandemic? Here’s What You Should Know,” Forbes: Mar 10, 2021.
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“As some colleges struggle, there may be an opportunity for more aid. Here’s how to negotiate,” CNBC: Feb 27, 2021.
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“5 Helpful Tips for Understanding Merit Aid Scholarships,” Your Teen: Feb 22, 2021.
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“How To Calculate The ROI Of Your College Choice,” Forbes: Feb 23, 2021.
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“COVID pandemic is changing which colleges students want to attend. Here’s how,” The Charlotte Observer: Feb 22, 2021.
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“Where states are boosting or slashing higher ed funding amid the pandemic,” PBS News Hour: Feb 18, 2021.
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“Pulling Back The Curtain On What You’ll Really Pay For College,” Forbes: Feb 19, 2021.
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“5 Things Every Family Should Know About Paying For College,” NPR: February 17, 2021.
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“Citing Covid, Department Of Education Urges Colleges To Consider Financial Aid Appeals,” Forbes: Feb 1, 2021.
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“College tuition is up 33% since 2000: How to cope with rising costs,” Fox Business: June 8, 2021.
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“What is a 3-year college degree program and how much does it cost?” Fox business: Jun 4, 2021.
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“You can still tap free money for college — here’s how,” CNBC: Apr 29, 2021.
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“How to Make the Best Financial Decision When Choosing a College ,” Parents: Apr 27, 2021.
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“How To Get More College Financial Aid,” Forbes: Apr 27, 2021.
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“A Parent's Guide to FAFSA and Federal Student Aid,” Parents: Apr 26, 2021.
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“How to Find the Right Scholarship for Every Occasion,” Real Simple: Apr 23, 2021.
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“How To Understand Financial Aid Award Letters,” Forbes: Apr 20, 2021.
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“Here are the top public nd private colleges with the most generous financial aid packages,” CNBC: Apr 20, 2021.
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“How To Negotiate A Better College Financial Aid Offer,” Forbes: Apr 19, 2021.
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“These college students might get less financial aid next year,” CNBC: Aug 23, 2020.
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“How To Have Others Help You Save For College,” Forbes: Aug 12,2020.
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“What Your Student Needs To Know About Money Before College,” Forbes: August 1, 2020.
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“College students to get a break as student loan rates drop to historic lows,” The Detroit Free Press via USA Today: July 1, 2020.
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“Co-signing a Private Loan: What Parents Need to Know,” Money: June 29, 2020
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“Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Drop By 39 Percent For 2020-21,” Forbes: May 13, 2020.
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“3 smart ways to make the most of a gap year and boost your college and career prospects,” Francesca Di Meglio in Business Insider: June 25, 2020.
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“Gen Z Borrowers are Unaware of Covid-19 Student Loan Relief Programs,” CNBC: June 19, 2020.
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“Everything Parents of College Applicants Need to Know About FAFSA,” Sabrina Rojas Weiss in She Knows: May 12, 2020.
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“Pandemic Relief Package Simplifies FAFSA,” Forbes: Dec 22, 2020.​
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“Congress Just Made It a Lot Easier to Apply for Financial Aid,” Money: Dec 22, 2020.
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Students Demanding More Value Would Boost The Impact Of The Years That Matter Most
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Why College Tuition Keeps Rising
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The Real Cost of College: Vast Expansion of ‘Fees’ Means up to $5,000 Extra per Semester
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These FAFSA Mistakes can Negatively Affect your Financial Aid
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How to fill out the FAFSA and get financial aid for college - Business Insider
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How to save money on college applications
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Colleges that Don’t Charge Application Fees
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Here’s A No-Brainer: Students Should Know What Their College Costs Will Be
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Three financial aid mistakes that could make college more costly
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What to Do If Your FAFSA Application Gets Flagged for Verification
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5 tricks for paying for college
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As student loan debt mounts, high schoolers ‘shockingly’ unaware of aid options
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College costs are skyrocketing. Here’s how to decide if that high price tag is worth it
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FAFSA got a makeover, and the process is simpler for low-income families
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How to negotiate for more college financial aid
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How to decipher that college aid offer
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Millennial Money: A college education isn't priceless - AP