In recent years, students and parents have seen tuition costs at colleges and universities rise, to the extent that many low-income families may feel a college education for their child is out of their financial reach. However, this sky-high tuition is often partially, or even largely, subsidized by various forms of financial aid. For families to accurately evaluate the cost of higher education--and decide whether it is a viable option for their students--they must understand the "net price" concept. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures and 16 notes.)