How Americans Pay for College

Financial aid, Scholarships, Student loans

Sallie Mae and Gallup released a new annual survey on how families in the US pay for college. It yields a great deal of information. One of the problems in analyzing this data, however, is the huge variety of colleges student attend, the financial circumstances of those families, and the enormous varance in the price of tuition at colleges.
Inside Higher Ed has a very concise summary of the report in its article today. You can read the entire report here.

Jared Hobson

Jared serves as President of Great College Advice, where he sets strategic direction for the firm as well as being involved in sales & marketing and college consulting. Jared has an MBA from Cornell University, where he served on its Student Admissions Committee. His consulting philosophy emphasizes personalized attention to help identify the right college fit for each student.

Read Jared Hobson's Full Bio →

Related Posts

5 Different Kinds of Financial Aid

Stafford Loans. Pell Grants. SEOG. Plus Loans. Work-Study. HELP! What do they all mean? If you’re baffled by what are all of the different financial aid instruments, who gets them,…

Two green directional signs on a pole point in opposite directions, one labeled PRIVATE SCHOOL and the other PUBLIC SCHOOL, against a blue sky with white clouds.

Public vs. Private College: Which Costs Less?

The second in our series about mistakes people make when choosing a college. Don’t walk away from a school just because you think it might be too expensive.

A small graduation cap sits on a clipboard with a paper labeled Financial Aid. A pen and a stack of cash are visible nearby on a dark wooden surface.

How to Compare Financial Aid Offers

The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet, intended to accompany colleges’ own financial aid letters, is designed to make it easier for students and families to compare financial aid offers from different…

Woman working on laptop and taking notes at desk near window. Studying, remote work, online learning.

Helping Your Student Choose a College

Helping your student choose the right college requires balancing academic fit, campus culture, and financial reality—and there’s no single “perfect” answer. The most effective approach starts with establishing clear financial

People walk toward a large, historic stone building with a clock above the entrance, surrounded by greenery and lamp posts, on a bright, partly cloudy day.

How to Help My Student Choose a College

How to Help My Student Choose a College and Weigh the Options Helping your student choose the right college requires balancing academic fit, campus culture, and financial reality—and there’s no

student debt can be a heavy burden

Avoid Excessive Student Debt Tips

Student debt in the US weighs down young people as they chase their personal & professional dreams. A college admissions consultant shares his tips for families to help them stay…

do I need a college counselor

How to Read a Financial Aid Award Letter

Read our advice on how to read and compare financial award letters.

A clear piggy bank filled with euro coins wears a black graduation cap, symbolizing saving money for expensive private college education or student expenses, set against a plain light blue background.

Does Financial Aid Lower Acceptance Odds?

No matter your family’s situation, in most cases, applying for financial aid will not hurt your chances in the college admissions process.

applying for financial aid hurt my college admissions chances

How to Calculate the Cost of College

Great College Advice shares tips on how to research the actual cost of college and make sure it is an important part in deciding which schools to apply.