Considering Aid Offers?
--Find out the college's total cost of attendance.
--Deduct grants and scholarships to calculate your out-of-pocket cost.
--Determine what the requirements are to have a scholarship renewed for subsequent years.
--Figure out how long it's likely to take to get a degree. Most students now need at least five years.
--Weigh the savings from living at home for two years and going to community college vs. the chance that you won't transfer to a four-year school.
--Decide how many hours a week you could work at a job without hurting your grades.
--Look for last-minute scholarships with late deadlines.
--Appeal to the college financial aid office for a better deal if your family has evidence of greater need.
This story appears in the April 16, 2007 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
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