<p>All students should know that many if not most school do put more of the onus in paying for college on the student each year in terms of financial aid. More self help and less grants is not unusual. That is why the Stafford limits increase each year. Also bear in mind that the costs tend to go up at least 5% a year. </p>
<p>There is more opportunity to save some money as an upperclassman too. You are given more freedom in terms of living quarters and meal choices. You can provide your own meals and save money, and look for outside housing, doubling up and saving money that way. My sons were able to cut costs drastically that way, though they simply blew the savings. I have seen kids, mainly international kids find off campus housing where they share bedrooms and halve their room expenses. A rice cooker and ramen cuts food expenses more. Also, as you learn the ropes, you can come up with a lot of ways to cut the costs. Unfortunately, there are more opportunities to spend more as well, so it’s tough avoiding that temptation.</p>