An indispensable resource for all college-bound graduates and their families -- or college students looking for ways to ease their financial burdens -- this handbook for getting the most financial aid available offers guidance to completing the often arduous and lengthy application process. Insights from financial aid officers help answer such questions as How much does college really cost? Should we borrow money to pay for college? How can the college help us pay? and How can we make college cheaper? in this informative guide to getting the most money for college tuition, housing, books, and living expenses. Covering scholarships as well as financial aid and giving a step-by-step outline to both the paper and online FAFSA, this reference offers advice for avoiding the most common mistakes and for choosing the best package for individual families' needs at all income levels.