Get Schooled on Getting the Best Deal for College

When the college search ends, the hunt for financial aid begins.

After spending months touring universities, filing out forms and writing essays, parents and children are now receiving the fruits of that labor. But once the joy of college acceptance wears off, the sheer cost of attending may leave parents who haven't saved enough with a case of sticker shock.

It's no secret that the cost of attending a college is increasing quickly. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition, fees, room and board at a four-year private institution was $23,578 per year in 2001, an increase of 5.3% from 2000. Meanwhile, the cost of a four-year public institution increased 7% over the same span, with an average price of $9,000 per year. ...