What is Financial Aid
Start here:
Then come back with more specific questions.
Are you a HS senior?
Some colleges offer merit aid (based on grades & test scores), some offer need based aid (calculated using family income and assets), and some offer both. They’ll ask families to fill out the FAFSA. Some also require the CSS Profile. The college website will tell you what forms they want.
Are you a US student? If so, go to the website of one of your state schools. Look for the Cost of Attendance. Public schools have one rate for in state students and a higher rate for out-of-state students. (Private colleges charge everyone the same). Add up the tuition and fees, then add in the room and board (meal plan) fees. That’s the total Cost of Attendance. You only use the per credit price to figure the cost if you’re a part-time student (taking a class or two at a time).
Next, find their Financial Aid page. Some colleges offer guaranteed merit scholarships for certain SAT (math & critical reading)/ACT scores + a certain GPA. Run their Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of what they may cost. If your parents are divorced or own a business, the NPC won’t be accurate, but otherwise they’re generally pretty good.
If you’re a US citizen, permanent resident, or Green Card holder, run the FAFSA4caster to see if you might qualify for a federal Pell grant (~$5k/year). The Pell is a need based grant. You’ll be eligilbe to borrow ~$5500/year if you file the FAFSA. Check with your school guidance counselor to see if your state offers need based grants. S/he should be able to walk you through the application process too.