College Financing Information for Teens, 4th Ed.

The costs associated with pursuing a college degree continues to put increasing financial strain on families across the country. According to figures from the federal government’s National Center for Education Statistics 2019–20, prices for undergraduate tuition and fees, public institutions rose 25.5 percent, and prices at private nonprofit institutions rose 53.2 percent, after adjustment for inflation. As a result, parents and students alike are experiencing sticker shock like never before when adding up all of the costs associated with higher education. And while there is any number of financial options now available to prospective students such as grants, private and public loans, and scholarships many teens are feeling overwhelmed by the idea of going to college. The entire process, from taking the right tests in high school to making sure one gets enough financial aid, can be confusing. Many teens find themselves in a state of bewilderment when considering the vast amount of information they need to absorb in order to plan, pay for, and attend college.

College Financing Information for Teens, Fourth Edition, provides information about planning, paying and options available for postsecondary education. It explains college costs and describes practical steps middle and high school students can take to begin to prepare themselves for meeting future challenges. It discusses the process of choosing among different types of colleges and vocational schools and describes the procedures involved in applying for and receiving federal financial aid. A separate section discusses alternative sources of aid, including scholarships, institutional grants, private loans, and aid associated with community service, military service, athletic pursuits, and careers in healthcare. The book concludes with directories of resources for additional information.