The financial aspect of choosing a college is very important . As the demand for college education increases, so does the cost of attending a University. There is however, a way to lower the cost significantly. First, you must consider the cost of tuition, including room and board, at each school your interested in. Once accepted to the University you are eligible to apply for Financial Aid. The amount of aid you receive is determined by filling out a FAFSA form.
             The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is used to apply for federal student financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study. In addition, it is used by most states and schools to award non-federal student financial aid. Students should be wary of mailings or websites that offer to submit their application for them. The best way to handle it is to go directly through the schools Financial Aid Office.
             Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. Once submitted, students information is processed. Then a report is sent, called a Student Aid Report, or SAR, through the mail. It is important to review the SAR once received and make sure all of the information is correct. Then the information is entered into a formula from the Higher Education Act of 1965, the result is the Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC measures student's family's financial strength, and is used to determine their eligibility for federal student aid.
             The school uses the EFC to prepare a financial aid package to meet each students financial need. Financial need is the difference between your EFC and the schools cost of attendance (which can included living expenses), as determined by the school. If there are special circumstances in which a student believes he/she should receive additional aid they should contact the schools Financial Aid Office.
             Different schools have different rules and policies ab
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