Kantrowitz: Minimizing college costs is the key to maximizing the return on your college investment. Steps you can take to boost your ROI for college include the following: Shop around by applying for admission to several colleges. College costs and financial aid differ by college, so applying to several colleges will give you more affordable options. Apply to a financial aid safety school, which is a college that will not only admit you, but where you could afford to enroll even if you did not receive any financial aid. This is usually an in-state public college. Apply to a mix of colleges, not just high-cost private colleges that use the CSS Profile form. Use each college's net price calculator to get a personalized estimate of the one-year net price to enroll at that college. Take enough credits to graduate on time. Even though 12 credits a term is considered full-time, you will need to take 15 credits each term to graduate in four years. File the FAFSA to apply for financial aid from the federal and state governments as well as most colleges and universities. Search for scholarships on free scholarship matching websites, such as Fastweb and the College Board's Big Future. Apply for all the scholarships you believe you're eligible for. Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Student Loan Interest Deduction on your federal income tax return.