A “bracing and well-argued” study of America’s college debt crisis—“necessary reading for anyone concerned about the fate of American higher education” (Kirkus). College is far too expensive for many people today, and the confusing mix of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid leaves countless students without the resources they need to pay for it. In Paying the Price, education scholar Sara Goldrick-Rab reveals the devastating effect of these shortfalls. Goldrick-Rab examines a study of 3,000 students who used the support of federal aid and Pell Grants to enroll in public colleges and universities in Wisconsin in 2008. Half the students in the study left college without a degree, while less than 20 percent finished within five years. The cause of their problems, time and again, was lack of money. Unable to afford tuition, books, and living expenses, they worked too many hours at outside jobs, dropped classes, took time off to save money, and even went without adequate food or housing. In many heartbreaking cases, they simply left school—not with a degree, but with crippling debt. Goldrick-Rab combines that data with devastating stories of six individual students, whose struggles make clear the human and financial costs of our convoluted financial aid policies. In the final section of the book, Goldrick-Rab offers a range of possible solutions, from technical improvements to the financial aid application process, to a bold, public sector–focused “first degree free” program. "Honestly one of the most exciting books I've read, because [Goldrick-Rab has] solutions. It's a manual that I'd recommend to anyone out there, if you're a parent, if you're a teacher, if you're a student."—Trevor Noah, The Daily Show

This publication speaks to middle school students and their parents to provide information on how to prepare for and how to pay for educational expenses at an eligible college or career school. This workbook provides information for middle and junior high school students about how to prepare and how to pay for education beyond high school. This publication also includes charts, checklists, and other activities to help students answer important questions, such as "Why think about college now?", "What can a college education do for me?", and "How will I pay for college?". Keywords: College; thinking about college; why think about college now; plan for college; where do I start?; college and financial aid options; how do I pay for college?; checklist; college preparation; college costs; financial aid; grants; loans; work-study; student aid; Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); student loans; federal student aid; StudentAid.gov; four-year colleges; two-year colleges; career schools; U.S. Department of Education; scholarships; FAFSA4caaster; choosing a college; pay for college; types of aid; college support team; activity page; workbook; myths vs. reality; college planning; post-secondary degree programs; private grants; Federal student aid; FAFSA; Free Application for Federal Student Aid; money planning for college; paying for college; vocational and technical school programs; professional career choices; student aid; student financial aid; life skills; middle school students; high school students; guidance counseling; career guidance; career training; ed.gov; studentaid.gov; U.S. Department of Education; United States Department of Education; Office of Financial Aid; Financial Aid Office; Federal Financial Aid; Office of Financial Aid (U.S.)

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.