While college is expensive, the fact is that most families receive financial aid.
Financial aid helps pay the cost of attending college, which includes:
- Tuition and fees
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Transportation
- Miscellaneous personal expenses
- Required loan fees
- Study abroad costs
- Dependent care expenses
- Expenses related to a student's disability
Some financial aid is based on financial need.
Some financial aid is awarded based on merit.
Financial aid includes grants and scholarships -- called "free money" because they don't have to be paid back. It also includes student loans.
Financial aid comes from a variety of sources:
- Federal government
- New York State
- Colleges
- Community organizations, associations and other groups
Learn more about how colleges award financial aid.