Affordability
How Do You Know if a College is Affordable?
College costs have risen sharply, but there are tools to help you figure out what’s realistic.
- Federal Student Aid Estimator
A free online tool that gives families an early sense of how much federal aid they might qualify for before completing the FAFSA. It’s a great first step to get a picture of affordability. - FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is the official form you’ll complete in your senior year to apply for federal, state, and college aid. Filling it out opens the door to grants, work-study, and federal loans. - Pell Grant A federal grant (free money you don’t have to pay back) awarded to students based on family income. If you qualify, it can cover a big portion of tuition at many schools.
- Federal Loans
Loans you borrow from the government to pay for college. The two main types are:
- Direct Subsidized Loans – Interest doesn’t build up while you’re in school.
- Direct Unubsidized Loans – Interest starts building right away, but payments can usually be delayed until after graduation.
- Qualifying for TOPS
See below for Award Levels:
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