The way public college students finance college was studied, based on student resource and expenditure surveys from four states: Arizona, California, New York, and Wisconsin. Comparisons were made of demographic and academic variables, as well as expenditure patterns of students receiving different kinds of aid. The following four aid recipient categories were used: (1) aid is received from at least one federal, state, or institutional program based on a stringent needs analysis test (e.g., Pell program criteria); (2) aid is received on the basis of a less stringent needs analysis (e.g., Guaranteed Student Loan criteria); (3) aid is received from programs without needs tests; and (4) aid is not provided. Student characteristics and resource and expenditure patterns were dramatically similar across the different student groups and states. Students in all four aid recipient categories paid proportionately similar amounts to attend college. Overall the data indicate that the costs of college attendance are similar for all students, given the characteristics of their colleges. The findings are illustrated by numerous graphs, bar charts, and statistical tables, and appendices identify specific types of expenditures, along with types of financial resources used for each expenditure category. (SW)