Paying for college has always taken planning, but the numbers families face today are hard to ignore. According to NPR, the average sticker price of tuition at both public and private four-year colleges has essentially doubled over the last 30 years, even after adjusting for inflation. For many parents and students, that published price can feel out of reach before the first application is even submitted.
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The encouraging part is that most families do not pay the full sticker price. Federal financial aid, college savings plans, and scholarships can put a dent in the final bill, and many students combine several of these options to pay for college. Understanding how each one works, and when to get started, can save thousands in the long run.
What Is Included in the “Sticker Price” of College in 2026?
The sticker price of college is the full published cost of attendance before any grants, scholarships, or other financial aid are applied. Colleges post this figure on their websites, and it covers much more than tuition. For the 2026–27 school year, a typical cost of attendance includes:
- Tuition
- Mandatory fees
- On-campus housing or off-campus rent
- Meal plans or groceries
- Textbooks and course materials
- A laptop and other school supplies
- Transportation to and from campus
- Health insurance
- Personal expenses
Not every item on that list shows up on a bill from the school. Tuition, fees, and on-campus housing usually go straight to the college, while books, travel, and personal costs come out of the student’s own pocket over the course of the year. Families comparing schools should look at the full cost of attendance rather than tuition alone.
A college with lower tuition in an expensive city can end up costing more than a pricier school in a smaller town. Most colleges also offer a net price calculator on their websites, which estimates what a family might actually pay after grants and scholarships.
Which Students Qualify for Financial Aid?
Financial aid eligibility for most undergraduate students is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA. This single form opens the door to federal Pell Grants, work-study jobs, and federal student loans. Many states and colleges also use FAFSA information to award their own grants, and some private scholarships require it as part of the application.
Some families skip the FAFSA because they assume their income is too high to qualify for anything. There is no income cutoff for submitting the form, and filing can still unlock federal loans that are not based on need, along with aid from the college itself. A student who does not file may miss out on help they never knew was available.
How Can Parents Save Up for a Child’s College Education?
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account designed for education expenses, and it remains one of the most popular ways for parents to save for a child’s college education. Money in the account can be invested and grow free from federal income tax. When the funds are withdrawn for qualified expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, computers, and room and board for students enrolled at least half-time, those withdrawals are also federally tax-free. Many states offer a tax deduction or credit for contributions to their own plans.
Parents do not have to save on their own, either. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends can contribute to a child’s 529 account, which makes it a practical gift idea for birthdays and holidays. Starting early gives the account more time to grow, and even modest monthly contributions can add up over 18 years. A 529 owned by a parent also generally has a smaller effect on financial aid eligibility than savings held in the student’s own name.
What Kinds of Scholarships Are Available to Undergraduate Students?
Scholarships for undergraduate students generally fall into two broad categories: merit-based awards and need-based awards. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid, which makes them one of the most valuable ways to bring down the cost of a degree.
Merit-based scholarships reward a student’s achievements. These awards may be based on grades, test scores, leadership, community service, or talent in areas like music, art, writing, or athletics. Many colleges hand out merit aid automatically when they admit a student, while others require a separate application or essay. Private companies, community groups, and non-profit organizations also offer merit scholarships, and local awards often draw fewer applicants than national ones.
Need-based scholarships consider a family’s financial situation. Colleges typically rely on the FAFSA, and sometimes a second form called the CSS Profile, to decide who qualifies and how much to award. Some need-based scholarships also weigh grades or personal circumstances, such as being the first in the family to attend college.
Beyond these two categories, students can find scholarships tied to a planned major, a parent’s employer, a hometown, or a heritage group. Applying for several smaller awards can add up quickly. Students should keep an eye on deadlines, read the renewal requirements closely, since some awards require a minimum GPA each year, and steer clear of any scholarship that asks for an application fee.
