Paying for college? Take our quiz before applying for aid.


An illustration of a college themed monopoly board
(Illustration by Elizabeth Sanduvete/For The Washington Post)
Education

From financial aid to the final bill, see how much you understand about paying for higher education.

Pell Grants. FAFSA. 529s. Sticker prices. There are so many terms and concepts to understand when paying for college. And all sorts of misconceptions.

The expense can be intimidating, but having a good grasp of the actual costs can make it easier to navigate.

We will guide you through college costs and financial aid in our six-week newsletter course, with expert advice on saving, negotiating better aid packages and navigating changes in federal financial aid.

In the meantime, let’s test your knowledge.

1 of

How much is the average published in-state tuition and fees for a public university?

2 of

Which level of study accounts for roughly half of federal student loan borrowing?

3 of

What’s the difference between the sticker price and net price?

4 of

What interest rates do federal student loans carry?

5 of

What’s the average amount of grant aid undergraduates receive?

6 of

What can you do with a 529 college savings plan?

7 of

What’s one major difference between federal and private loans?

8 of

How much in total can parents borrow from the federal government for each child?

9 of

How many colleges offer free tuition?

10 of

What is the median amount of time borrowers take to repay a federal student loan?

11 of

You can withdraw money from your Individual Retirement Account for educational expenses without an early-withdrawal penalty.

12 of

How many applicants have had their loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program?

Your results

You need to hit the books.

You should read our newsletter (and try again)!

About this story

Reporting by Danielle Douglas-Gabriel. Illustrations by Elizabeth Sanduvete. Editing and production by Chastity Pratt, Courtney Kan, Stephanie Hays and Amy Parlapiano.

How much does college really cost?

From student loans to scholarships to savings tips, this six-week newsletter course brings you expert guidance for navigating the complex maze of paying for college. Sign up here.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California, ‘life-threatening’ winds forecast

    PUERTO SAN CARLOS, Mexico — Hurricane Polo made landfall early Tuesday in the Mexican state of Baja California with flash flooding and winds described by forecasters as “life-threatening.” The Category…

    Continue reading
    High inflation, gas prices push Trump approval ratings down: "The polls are fake," he says

    High inflation and high gas prices due to the war with Iran have pushed President Trump’s approval ratings on the economy to near-record lows, which is causing headwinds for Republican…

    Continue reading

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California, ‘life-threatening’ winds forecast

    Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California, ‘life-threatening’ winds forecast

    Weinsanto Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear Runway, Fashion Show & Collection Review

    Weinsanto Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear Runway, Fashion Show & Collection Review

    Sage unveils the Financial Symphony – a musical composition that reveals the hidden rhythms of business

    Barney's Bears – the Warwickshire captain who commands respect

    Barney's Bears – the Warwickshire captain who commands respect

    Meta Now Has A Version Of Muse Just For Small Businesses

    Meta Now Has A Version Of Muse Just For Small Businesses

    Resident Evil 2 Mod Adds Movie Main Character Bryan to the Game

    Resident Evil 2 Mod Adds Movie Main Character Bryan to the Game