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<p>“Average Net Price” is total COA, less average scholarships and/or grants. So this is before loans and work-study are factored in. The theory is that a loan doesn’t reduce the cost; it just allows you to spread the cost over a longer payment period (with interest, so your net cost is actually higher). Same with work-study: it’s just an opportunity to earn some money, but you still pay just as much for college. If you didn’t take the college work-study job, you might spend those same hours working as a barista at the nearest Starbucks; neither one is really “financial aid,” it’s just a job. Being guaranteed a job through work-study is a nice perk, but it doesn’t reduce your college costs.</p>
<p>Here’s the official explanation:</p>
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<p>Edit: Sorry about the cross-post.</p>