Award letters can look alike at first glance. Learn how to compare grants, loans, and net cost so you can see what each college will really cost your family.

FAFSA, scholarships, grants, loans, and payment plans can feel overwhelming. This guide explains the main ways families pay for college and how they fit together.

Tuition is only part of the picture. Learn which other costs, from housing to extra semesters, shape what a degree really costs your family.