Most people believe that college is much more expensive than it really is. Although some colleges are expensive, the costs of many colleges are within financial reach. If you have a disability and are found eligible for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, the VR agency in your State might provide special services such as an adapted computer or a personal assistant. In some cases your state VR agency may even consider paying part or all of the cost of tuition for attending college. Even if you want to go to a more expensive school, financial aid can help those students who have planned ahead and worked hard in school pay for their education after high school.

Click here to find out average college costs in your area!

The basic costs of college are tuition, which is the amount of money that colleges charge for instruction and attendance; fees, which cover other costs like athletic activities and special events; room and board, which is the cost of housing and food; and other expenses like books, supplies and transportation to and from the school.

How much a school costs usually depends on whether it is a public or private school. The majority of students attend public or state colleges, which receive a portion of their budgets from state or local governments and can charge lower tuition to students who live in that state. Students from other states pay higher tuition. Private schools tend to be more expensive than public colleges and charge the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.

By the time you attend college, the costs will be higher than the amounts listed here. That is why it is so important to start planning and saving early. To get an idea of how much expenses are now for major colleges and universities in the United States, visit CollegeNet or FinAid, or look in the college guidebooks in your local library or bookstore.

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