For years, the college cost inflation rate has been steadily rising by roughly 7% each year. The 2010-2011 academic year is no exception. According to College Board, who recently released their Trends in College Pricing and Trends in Student Aid, the average cost of tuition and fees at four-year public schools rose 7.9% while the average rate at private colleges and ...

A staggering economy, issues obtaining student loans and rising tuition are making it increasingly harder to pay for college. But there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for those in the know. The yearly phenomenon known within the financial aid community as the "summer melt" is working in students' favor -- this year more than ever -- ...

You want to go to college, but you can't meet the costs. According to financial aid expert Gary Williams, all may not be lost: After all of the work it takes to be successful in high school and gain admission to college, it can be extremely disappointing if your family cannot afford tuition. To avoid this situation, take a few basic ...

Without a doubt, figuring out how to pay for college can be a pretty stressful experience. You might be considering a financial aid consultant to help you through the college cost maze. Financial aid consultants provide advice and services to make the financial aid process a little easier. But before you choose a consultant, there are some things you should consider. ...

If you've never set eyes on a Student Aid Report (SAR) before, it can be a dizzying experience. What do all those acronyms and numbers mean? It all looks so official and important. If you've recently submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you can expect to receive a SAR in return. And while the SAR is long on ...

We asked FastWeb members whether they would consider staying in their home state after graduation if it meant they wouldn't have to pay back their student loans and here's what they had to say: "I definitely would stay in my home state for loan forgiveness. I have personally already been a college graduate for a year and see this as ...