Public Four-Year Colleges

    Public colleges are larger than private colleges. They can, therefore, offer a wider variety of majors, courses, and campus activities.

        Because they're tax supported, public colleges are also less expensive than private colleges. A student attending a public college in a

        different state will, however, usually have to pay the more expensive out-of-state tuition. Because of their many offerings and their more

        affordable prices, most college students attend a public college.

Private Four-Year Colleges

    Although private colleges vary in size, cost, and in their requirements for admission, as a group, they are smaller and more expensive than

       public colleges. Because they're smaller, private colleges can offer students more individual attention, smaller class sizes, and greater

       opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics, student government, etc.

    Private colleges are more expensive, but they're usually also more generous with financial aid. In fact, approximately 80% of the students who

        attend private colleges receive some form of aid.

Community Colleges

    Community colleges are tax-supported two-year colleges designed to meet the needs of their local communities. Any student with a high

school diploma or GED certificate will be accepted for admission.

    Community colleges provide career-oriented programs that enable students to begin their careers after two years of college or less. Students

who want to earn a four-year college degree can start at a community college, and then transfer to a four-year college.

    Because community colleges offer a variety of educational programs that are very affordable, they are becoming an increasingly popular

college choice.

Career and Technical Schools

    Career and technical schools offer short-term training programs in a wide variety of career fields. Some programs last only a few weeks;

others take up to two years to complete. Career and technical schools are usually privately owned and in business to make a profit. Although

these programs can be expensive, their costs vary greatly, depending on the type and length of the program.

    While there are many excellent career and technical schools, some are disreputable. It is, therefore, very important for students and parents to

thoroughly investigate any career or technical school they are considering.

The Four Forms of Financial Aid

    Grants and scholarships are considered "gift help" because they represent money that is given to students. Work-study and loans are

considered "self help" because they provide money that must be either earned or repaid.

1. Grant-money given to a student, usually because of financial need

2. Scholarship-money awarded for exceptional academic achievement, an outstanding talent or skill, and/or financial need

3. Work-Study-money earned by working at a campus job

4. Loan-borrowed money that must be repaid

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

    Parents must complete a FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive any financial aid provided by the federal government. States and colleges

also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility eligibility for state and institutional aid.