Affording Private College
Making Dreams a Reality
Prospective students and their families may hesitate to consider private colleges because they think they can't afford it. Colleges and universities annually set a tuition rate, a "sticker price." However, private colleges and universities have made a strong commitment to keeping their costs affordable for all.
There are numerous efforts underway to help families understand how they can afford to send their students to a private college. Here are some examples:
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Net Price Calculators (NPC) available on each institution's website. The goal is to help families make a rough estimate of the net cost for the specific school.
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National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) has created a website called U-Can with over 100 participating private colleges and universities where families can research private institutions to look for the right fit academically, financially and socially.
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College Board: Trends in Higher Education- College Pricing 2011
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Tuition Plan Consortium,LLC (TPC) is a not-for-profit organization. TPC was formed in 1998 to establish a prepaid tuition 529 option designed specifically by and for private colleges and universities. Today, more than 270 private colleges across the country voluntarily participate in Private College 529 Plan (the Plan). The Plan is structured as a pre-purchase of tuition and not an investment. There is no risk for the purchaser, as participating institutions provide a firm guarantee.