The fact that college costs are rising makes financial assistance necessary for many students if they are to attend college. New buildings, higher salaries, more expensive equipment, and higher food prices all contribute to increased college costs. Attending college does, as a rule, necessitate a short-term sacrifice, but in most cases it is worth the sacrifice in later financial rewards. Sometimes it takes the student, the parents, the college, and the government to put a student through college.
Colleges are one of the best sources of financial aid for most students.
The college catalog or college viewbook are the best sources of scholarship information available. In all cases it is the responsibility of the student to apply for financial assistance. Factors such as income, savings, assets, and the number of children in the family are utilized in determining the parental contribution. Parents and students should know that information about financial need is forwarded directly to the college and is not reported to the high school. Upon receiving the family financial analysis, the college will determine the amount and type of aid that will be offered to the student.