With financial aid, nearly everyone can afford higher education. Understanding the costs that make up the bill is the first step in learning how you can afford college.

College cost components

It is important to consider the costs associated with attending college.

• Tuition and fees.
• Room and board.
• Books and supplies.
• Transportation.
• Personal expenses.

Direct vs. indirect costs

College costs are divided into two categories:

• Direct costs: Charges established by the college: tuition, room, and board (on-campus student housing and meals).
• Indirect costs: Expenses controlled to some degree by the student; personal expenses, books, and transportation. Your college may be able to provide guidelines on typical indirect expenses at their campus.

Reduce your indirect costs

While colleges use an average indirect cost for annual budget estimates, you can reduce these costs by:

• Reducing the number of meals you eat out.
• Buying used textbooks.
• Living moderately while in school.
• Establishing a weekly budget and sticking to it.
• Limiting the number of trips home or car-pooling to lower transportation expenses.

Do you qualify for need-based aid?