The price of a college education may seem overwhelming. But remember, your costs will be much lower with financial aid. Community colleges and in-state colleges are usually the least expensive, and public colleges are usually less expensive than private schools. Here are some general costs for a college education:

• Tuition and Fees
  Costs range from $7,000 per year for a two-year public college up to $26,000-plus for a four-year college. Private universities can cost from $45,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
• Books and Supplies
  Cost is generally between $1,000 and $1,500 per year.
• Room and Board
  Costs range from $7,300-plus per year for a two-year public college to $7,750 for a four-year public college up to $9,000-plus for a four-year private college.
• Transportation
  Costs average around $1,000 to $1,500 per year.
• Miscellaneous
  Costs can range from $1,400 to over $2,000 per year, depending on factors like whether the school is in a small-town or big-city environment.

Many families receive financial aid to help pay for their child's college education, and sometimes aid can cover all the cost. Learn about the many financial aid resources available to families like yours. Together with your child, you can make college a reality!

Parent Action Item:

• Meet your child's high school or college advisor, visit college education and college websites, and talk to college admissions people about their financial aid programs.
• Encourage your child to take the courses and achieve the grades and test scores that will qualify him for financial aid. Apply to more than one college, so you can compare the cost and education opportunities at each one. Many schools offer reduced tuition for students living in the same state, so check out "in-state tuition" requirements to see if you qualify.
• Make sure your child knows you are committed to doing everything it takes to help him get a college degree.

Visit Adventures in Education (Aie.org) for more information on the average costs for different types of colleges.