It is important to consider costs before making a final decision about where you will attend college.

You should not choose a college based solely on cost, but you should understand your expected education expenses and plan for how you will pay those costs.

Once you receive financial aid award letters from the schools where you have been accepted, you can estimate how much you will pay for your education.

Federal law requires every college and university to provide a Net Price Calculator on its website. The net price is the amount you can expect to pay in a single academic year after subtracting grants and scholarships. For more information, visit https://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx.

You can compare estimated expenses for the schools you are considering by using a college cost comparison worksheet.

After determining your education expenses, create a budget to help manage your money throughout your college years.