Use an Aid Calculator to Get the Real Cost of College

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Well, if only this idea had been rolling around a decade ago when I was looking at school options. I think back to what I paid for my B.A. and wonder if I could have saved thousands of dollars. But, my concern is how do we know WHICH calculator is the best option to use? How do I find one that I know is accurate? I would like to read more about someone's positive experience using these.

Al of OR 6:51PM July 21, 2010

Sure the Dems are the ones who push the regs most of the time but any financial aid type should admit that financial aid offices at almost every school are functions of FEDERAL financial aid. With those billions (supported since the 60's by Dems) come some strings.

Tom of PA 10:39AM July 19, 2010

There IS technology available finally that is very precise for estimating an individual's college cost and exists on a few college websites that I have seen. @Ryan from Oregon: You must not be checking out calculators like the one at Carleton College. Very, very accurate, nothing based on averages that I can see.

Marilyn S of MN 11:12PM July 18, 2010

Only in college education and healthcare do consumers make big ticket decisions without having a clear picture of what the actual cost will be, and with healthcare people often have no choice about 'buying' and do have some insurance. College is a huge purchase for most people and the current system is set up for the consumers to choose a school before they know the real costs. Many financial aid pros know this is a problem. It defies common sense. The author of this article gets it and other consumer advocates are beginning to.

Robert of DC 10:36PM July 18, 2010

I've read this article and these blogs,and find them very interesting, but am no where closer to understanding what is a trustworthy net cost calculator.

Donna of PA 10:02AM July 17, 2010

I like the plan, help people understand their true cost of college but who is going to make sure these things are right? It sounds like there is going to be a lot of room for error.

Lyle of CO 2:04AM July 17, 2010

Financial Aid professionals who try to help students find ways to finance their education are handcuffed with so many new federal regulations pilled on top of the massive amount already in place that they no longer have time to counsel with students. Students are the ones paying the price for this overregulation with higher tuition prices charged in order to pay for the staff needed to process the regulations. Our government is regulating on such a massive scale we will all be working for the government soon and there will be nobody left to actually produce value in the economy. The Socialists (Also known as Democrats) are going to damage our country beyond repair.

Burned out Financial Aid professional of CA 6:22PM July 16, 2010

Don't think there is anywhere to go to find out which ones are good or not. Mars Hill and Ohio Christian have new ones that are good. Princeton is pretty good. From looking at a few big schools, Arkansas is the best.

Ken of ID 2:02PM July 16, 2010

Does anyone know if the net price estimation system that Texas is putting at public colleges here is better than what the federal government is giving colleges to use?

Katherine Zittel of TX 10:58AM July 16, 2010

Great news that students and families will have another tool to determine which colleges they can consider from a cost standpoint. Thanks for sharing this information. I am a bit skeptical of asking the colleges, who are selling me, whether their tool is accurate. Can you help me frame the question? If a college tells me what caluclator they are using, how do I know which one is better than another? If the colleges produce their own, are there certain markers I can look for to know this is an accurate calculator? Just the kind of questions I'd consider purchasing a car but way more important! Thanks for any advice.

Phyllis Ann of NJ 10:15AM July 16, 2010