Every year, the price of education gets higher, often increasing at a faster pace than the overall inflation rate.

The current  average  annual sticker price of a private college — tuition, fees, room and board — is almost $53,000 a year, and many of the top colleges have crossed the $80,000-a-year barrier. While a large percentage of college students qualify for some form of aid, applying for—and more importantly, maximizing your eligibility before you apply for—this financial aid can be a challenging process. Our book Paying for College  offers detailed, annually updated guidance on completing these applications to best advantage. The latest 2024 Edition continues to provide short-term and long-term strategies on planning for college costs. The new edition also describes in detail the tectonic changes to the federal student aid landscape brought about by the FAFSA Simplification legislation—as well as how to navigate those changes to get the most aid possible under the new rules. As an independent financial aid consultant for almost 40 years, author Kalman A. Chany has helped thousands of parents cut tens of thousands of dollars off the cost of their children's college education.

Buy the Book

Get your copy of Paying for College, 2024 Edition.

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  College Hopes & Worries Survey

  Every year, we survey college applicants and their parents about their dream schools, their biggest challenges, and what factors into their college search. Check out some of our key 2023 findings.

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  Advice on Paying for College

  Read college advice articles with our expert tips on how to finance your college education.

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  Guide to Student Loans

  From federal to private, here’s a rundown of what every college applicant needs to know about student loans.

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  12 Ways to Pay Less for College

  Get financial aid tips from the author of Paying for College.