Expenses at 3,500 colleges, universities, and proprietary schools are identified, and information is presented on applying for student financial aid and on estimating financial need. Recent changes in federal aid programs and eligibility requirements are also outlined. In considering the cost of college, the following areas need to be addressed: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses, transportation, and a total expense budget. Financial aid sources are examined, including: Pell grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, National Direct Student Loans, College Work-Study Program, Reserve Officer Training Corps, Bureau of Indian Affairs, state government programs, veterans' education benefits, and help from private student aid sources. The financial aid form and other need analysis documents are explained. Additional topics include: strategies for stretching one's resources, reducing the time involved in earning a degree, reducing indirect costs, prepayment plans, strategies for working one's way through college, and responsible borrowing. Appended materials include: student expenses by institution, a glossary, worksheets, sources of information about state grant and federal loan programs, and institutions listed alphabetically. (SW)