As you prepare for college, it's especially important to understand that there are many types of financial aid available to help finance your education. There are tools available to help you determine your aid eligibility.

In order to receive financial aid, you must apply each year you are in college. If you don't think you qualify, try anyway. You may have more options than you think. Generally, the earlier you apply, the better your chances for aid may be.

When determining how much college will cost, keep in mind the following items:

Tuition The charge for classroom instruction, use of school facilities, and other programs.

Housing The cost of living on or off-campus.

Meals The cost of food on or off-campus.

Books and Supplies The cost of all materials needed for your courses.

Transportation The cost of travel to and from college as well as any parking/gasoline costs.

Personal Expenses Laundry, entertainment, telephone, Internet, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Once you've determined how much college will cost, you're ready to apply for financial aid. We've created eight simple steps to help you through the application process.