Total Cost of Attendance

          Total cost of attendance represents the entire amount of funds needed to attend college and pay all necessary expenses each year. These expenditures are not limited to tuition and your dorm room and meal plan, also known as room and board. Often print and web resources will list these amounts, but there are many other costs associated with attending college.

          Depending on your situation, you can fund your college experience with money from different sources, which include your savings, money from parents and relatives, work, student loans, scholarships, grants, and so on. It’s important to consider how you will pay for the following categories of expenses:

          This is the fee to attend classes, and it is paid prior to the start of each semester. Costs stated on the college’s official website are the most accurate and up to date, but beware: You may experience increases during your enrollment. Also, expect to be charged minor additional fees for computer, health services, and fitness facilities.

          The Net Price Calculator is a web-based tool used to estimate how much and what types of financial aid you will qualify for when attending college. As of October 1, 2011, federal law requires all colleges and universities to have the Net Price Calculator feature on their websites. To meet this requirement, some schools link to an external third-party website, such as, which completes the calculations to estimate the cost of attendance and expected financial-aid package for students and their families?

          Now that you have assessed both sides of the equation, your expenses and financial support, with the assistance of your team of family and guidance counselor, you are ready to evaluate the results.

          To make your final analysis more straightforward and even a little easier, contemplate answers to these questions while you wait to receive admissions decisions:

Overall, how does the total cost of attendance for each school compare to your financial situation?

 Which schools on your final list create the most long-term financial responsibility/stress for you and your family?

 Which schools create the least long-term financial responsibility/stress for you and your family?

Which schools agree with your vision of going to college and don’t break the bank for you and your family?