College Planning
The cost of attending college is a concern for parents and students. From the modest cost of attending a community college like Napa Valley College to the higher cost of going to an independent (private) college…there is a need to understand the challenge of paying for college. The following information may be of help to understand some basic terminology and information about financial aid.
Feel free to use these worksheets to help you compare college costs and to decide which college is the best fit.
WHAT IS THE COST OF GOING TO COLLEGE?
Tuition and Fees...
Tuition charges help pay for the cost of instruction.
Some colleges charge fees in addition to tuition.
Independent (Private) college tuition is significantly higher than public colleges.
Check college website for information regarding tuition and fees.
Room and Board...
Students living away from home have both housing and food costs.
Many colleges provide campus housing for frosh students.
Check college website for on-campus room and board costs.
Travel...
Need to consider costs of traveling from home to college.
Estimate number of trips home during college year.
Some colleges allow cars on campus... but parking fees are involved.
Books...
All college textbooks must be purchased or rented.
Book costs can add up to several hundred dollars each year.
Finding used textbooks at campus bookstores can help reduce book costs.
Amazon & Chegg offer lower rates on some textbook rentals & purchases.
Personal Expenses...
May need new clothes to cope with climate of college.
Going to campus activities from football games to concerts.
(Always check the college website for information regarding the above categories…and remember to consider the cost of travel)
WHO QUALIFIES FOR FINANCIAL AID?
To qualify for financial aid…families must demonstrate a “need”…college costs minus your family’s contribution equals your “need.” The family contribution is determined from the information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). Some factors involved in estimating family contribution are income, assets, and age of your parents as well as the number of children in your family.
WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID?
STATE OF CALIFORNIA: The CAL Grant program awards grants that help pay tuition costs for California students going to a California public or independent college.
COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS: Organizations in the community give scholarships that are usually one year awards to outstanding Seniors. See Mrs. de Lorimier in Student Services for more information.
COLLEGES: Every college has a financial aid office which helps students find grants, loans, scholarships and work study programs. Request information from the Financial Aid Office at the college you will attend about loans that are available to parents and students.
MILITARY: The military services have opportunities that range from programs for enlisted persons to attendance at West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy.
WHAT APPLICATIONS ARE NEEDED TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID... FAFSA
All colleges want the FAFSA form completed.
The FAFSA can be obtained on-line at the FAFSA website.
Submit FAFSA either on-line or by mail during January and February.
FAFSA gives "basic" financial aid information to US Government and colleges.
Required to qualify for federal financial aid programs.
No fee involved...the FAFSA is Free.
CAL GRANT INFORMATION
Cal Grant Awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. These awards do not have to be paid back. Click here for the CAL GRANT GPA VERIFICATION FORM.
THIS LINK PROVIDES A HELPFUL STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL FOR FILLING OUT BOTH THE FAFSA AND THE CSS PROFILE: www.getcollegefunding.org/howto
College representatives visit Napa High to meet with students and discuss different aspects of college. We are hosting visits in person and virtually. Check out the calendar or list below for more information.
Be sure to check back as both will be updated as more colleges sign up!
Click here for the College Visit Calendar
List of College Visits (Virtual & In-Person)
Process for College Rep Visits
Are you a College Rep? Please go to Counselor Community through RepVisits (Naviance) to schedule an appointment with our high school.
- Helpful Websites to Plan for Life After High School
- College Application Support
- College Info & Links
- Paying for College
- Scholarship Websites
- College Recommendations for LGBTQIA+ Students
- College Recommendations for Undocumented & DACA students