College Costs
The cost of going to college has risen dramatically during the last twenty years. The cost of even a relatively low-cost, public college or university will likely be in the range of $40,000 to $60,000 for four years. Private or independent colleges can easily exceed $150,000 over four years.
What's a family to do? There are a variety of ways to reduce the cost of a college education. Perhaps the easiest is to attend a local community college for the first two years, then transfer to a four-year college to complete your graduation requirements. The tuition and fees at a community college in most states are very reasonable and usually permit the student to live at home to save money on room and board expenses which they would otherwise encounter.
Regardless of the cost of the college you are considering, financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, educational loans and work opportunities are available to make it possible. So don't let a lack of money prevent you from applying for the college of your choice. But we recommend that you have at least one "back-up" college in mind in case you are not accepted or cannot afford your first-choice school.

Why College Anyhow?
The cost of going to college has risen dramatically. And many students and parents will go into debt by borrowing student and parent loans in order to finance their college education. And after graduation, there are no guarantees that you'll find a job. So why go to college in the first place?
Well, research studies show over and over that someone with a college education will...
be more likely to vote
travel more
make fewer demands on public funds
contribute far more in taxes paid over their lifetime
be more involved with their families and communities
commit fewer crimes, and
earn nearly twice as much over their lifetime than someone without a college education
Yes, a college education will be one of the best investments you can make. No one will ever be able to take away your education. Gifts and toys fade away but your education will last a lifetime.

Applying for Admission
Applying for admission is another important part of the process of going to college. Make sure you find out the application procedures and deadline dates from an admission representative at the college(s) you are considering. Request the admission application as soon as possible and complete and mail it before the deadline date. Some private colleges admit nearly one-third of their freshmen classes through programs titled "early decision" or "early action." These programs are normally designed for students with high academic qualifications. For more information about selecting a college and the overall admission process, check out our recommended list of other interesting college sites.