Books & Supplies 

The total cost of attending a college for one year, including tuition, room & board, books & supplies, travel, personal expenses, etc. This is sometimes referred to as the “sticker price” of a school.

An additional financial aid application used by some colleges to award their own financial aid funds. Demonstrated need: The difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution for each college. Some colleges commit to meeting demonstrated need through financial aid.

The amount that a student and the student’s family is expected to contribute to the cost of college based on their income, assets and household situation.

Through the Federal Work-Study program, students are employed on campus and paid through a combination of federal and school funds. Students are typically expected to work 5-10 hours per week. Eligibility for Federal Work-Study is determined by the financial aid office. In order to utilize their Federal Work-Study, students must apply for and secur [..]

A free application form students submit to apply for federal financial aid. It is required for all students seeking federal student grants, work-study programs and loans and may also qualify you for state-sponsored financial aid.

Gift money from the federal government, state government, and/or a college that the student does not need to pay back. This money is usually paid directly to the college without passing through the student's hands.

An online tool provided by colleges to allow potential students to estimate the net price of attendance, which is the difference between the full cost of attendance and any grants and scholarships.

Money from an outside organization that does not need to be repaid. Each college has a different policy on how outside scholarships impact student’s financial aid packages.

Amount that a student's parents are expected to pay directly to a college. This amount is calculated using the information in the FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, and other required financial forms.