--- title: Cost of Attendance | Counselor Toolkit description: Learn how you can successfully help students plan for the cost of attending a college by exploring college cost and fees and ways to save money. --- Top × #### Sign In Email* Password* Show password Remember Me [Forgot your password?](https://admissions.usf.edu/_hcms/mem/reset/request) You've made too many attempts at this request. Please try this action again in a few minutes. - [Sign in](https://admissions.usf.edu/counselor-toolkit/cost-of-attendance#) - | - [Sign up](https://admissions.usf.edu/college-counselor-newsletter) [![University of South Florida Logo](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/general/logos/USouthFlorida-darkbg-2c-rgb-h.png)](https://admissions.usf.edu/counselor-toolkit) # COUNSELOR TOOLKIT ## One-stop access to all the information you need for your students ## COST OF ATTENDANCE - [**](https://admissions.usf.edu/counselor-toolkit) - *Cost Of Attendance* For most students and their families, college cost remains one of the biggest factors in picking a school. In fact, recent research indicates the top reason students don’t attend their first-choice college is due to cost. It’s true that over the past two decades, college costs have continued to rise. The good news is that students now have more tools and resources to decrease costs and avoid college debt. These resources include countless scholarships and grants, such as [freshmen scholarships](https://admissions.usf.edu/counselor-toolkit/freshmen-scholarships). ### 3 STEPS FOR DETERMINING THE COST OF COLLEGE **1. Understand the Difference Between Tuition and Cost** Unfortunately, most students don’t know how to accurately determine their actual college cost, so they get a skewed perception of their eventual out-of-pocket expenses. One of the biggest mistakes students make is to simply look at the sticker price, which includes the published tuition and fees. However, sticker price fails to take into account the various factors that can determine a school’s final cost. Instead, encourage students to focus on the net price of attendance: ![(Tutition + Houseing & Meals + Fees & Miscellaneous Expenses) - (Scholarships, Grants, Gifts + Educational Benefits) = Net College Price](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) ![(Tutition + Houseing & Meals + Fees & Miscellaneous Expenses) - (Scholarships, Grants, Gifts + Educational Benefits) = Net College Price](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) Once a student has this net price, they can accurately determine the amount they’ll have to pay or take out in loans to cover the cost. Several online tools can help, including the [College Cost Calculator](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs/college-costs-calculator) from the College Board. ### USF COST OF ATTENDANCE: AFFORDABILITY + VALUE USF combines **low tuition** with **incredible student resources** and **amenities**. In fact, we've been nationally recognized for our affordability and value by many outside organizations, including Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and U.S. News & World Report. To get a detailed cost breakdown of attending USF, including tuition, housing, meals, books and more, visit our website. [SEE COST OF ATTENDANCE ](https://www.usf.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/) **2. Identify Less Obvious College Costs** Encourage students to explore and account for these less obvious expenses that can influence their final higher education costs. Even with identical tuition costs, two schools can vary widely in the final price. That’s because a college may include several additional fees, opportunities or expenses that can drive up cost: - Out-of-State Tuition - Travel Expenses - Vehicle Costs - Greek Life and Campus Clubs ![Student holding a graduation cap in one hand and money in the other balancing the cost of attendance for college.](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) ![#3 in 50 most affordable in-state public universities (Affordablecolleges.com)](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) ![Top 100 best value in public colleges (Kiplinger's Personal Finance, 2018)](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) ![Average financial aid award if $9, 570 to 25,825 students in 2016-17](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/placeholder.png) **3. Discover Potential College Discounts** Depending on the school, college cost may not be set in stone. Students should inquire with each college’s admissions office when deciding which school to attend to find out if they honor any special discounts: - If a family member works at the school - If the family’s main wage earner is unemployed - Alumnus or alumna discount due to a parent attending - Reduction due to more than one family member being enrolled - Reduced cost for older students Even if a student does not get a discount their freshman year, they could receive a break in their later years for experience as a student government leader or affiliation with the college newspaper or yearbook. ### HELP STUDENTS LOWER THEIR COST OF ATTENDANCE Don’t let your students get struck by sticker shock. Download our student guide on lowering the cost to attend college. [DOWNLOAD GUIDE ](https://admissions.usf.edu/hubfs/websites/admissions-toolkit/downloadables/counselor-toolkit-cost%20of%20attendance-downloadable.pdf?__hstc=76194634.56beeed0b63c61875232ad3931b82393.1614782608048.1614800315847.1614808306968.3&__hssc=76194634.23.1614808306968&__hsfp=3135904349&hsCtaTracking=0c803b95-f8b0-4d9e-b547-29638b40a637%7C814b292f-3da8-4eea-b5fa-1caa0899d1d9)