A question about interpreting the data

Paying for College
1

<p>I don't know if this has been asked before, but here it goes.</p>

<p>Here's a random sample:</p>

<p>Financial Aid</p>

<p>Tuition and fees for 2009-2010: $38,048
Room and board for 2009-2010: $14,209</p>

<p>Average financial aid package: $30,670
Average scholarship grant: $30,375</p>

<p>Okay, so when it says Average financial aid package, does it mean for the entire four years, or just the 2009-2010? Also, does the grant just mean how much of the total is not a loan?</p>

<p>I mean, if it's for one year, that's amazing! If that's for all four, then it's alright.</p>

2

<p>It’s for one year…but the cost of attendance at that school is over $52,000 a year and that doesn’t include any “expenses” such as travel or books.</p>

<p>And it’s an AVERAGE that could include loans. Not everyone who applies will get that level of aid…average means some will get more and some will get less.</p>