How much will college cost?

The cost of college includes more than just tuition. There are several types of expenses to consider:

Tuition and Fees: This is the main cost for classes and other required school services. Fees can include things like lab access or technology use.
Room and Board: If you live on campus, this includes your dorm room and a meal plan. If you live off campus, it covers rent and groceries.
Books and Supplies: You’ll need money for textbooks, notebooks, and sometimes special equipment or software for certain classes.
Transportation: This includes getting to and from school, whether by car, bus, or plane (especially for out-of-state students).
Personal Expenses: Everyday items like toiletries, clothing, laundry, your phone bill, and entertainment are part of this.
Technology: You may need a laptop, printer, or internet access for schoolwork.
Health Costs: Some students need to pay for health insurance or doctor visits if they’re not already covered.
Extra Costs: Study abroad programs, dorm decorations, or course-specific fees (like art or science lab costs) can also add up.

Check these Cost Calculator Tools out! U Aspire THECB College Board BigFuture

What is financial aid? What types of financial aid are there?

There are many types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, federal and state loans, work-study programs, tuition exemptions and waivers, and financial aid for military families. Check out the resources below on each of these!!

Learn more about types financial aid and paying for college

GoingMerry's Guide to Financial Aid

Texas OnCourse's Guide to Financial Aid

College Board's Financial Aid Basics

Federal Aid (Grants, Loans, and Work-Study): FAFSA Application

Complete the FAFSA online.

The FAFSA is primarily used to determine the financial aid you are eligible to receive from the federal government (grants, loans, and work-study programs), but many schools also rely on it to determine their own financial aid packages. The 2026-2027 FAFSA form will be available October 1st!

Basic FAFSA Information:

Completing the FAFSA is a state graduation requirement. Please contact your counselor for more information on this and with questions about the opt-out form (available during the spring semester).
The majority of colleges will require the FAFSA to be completed when considering awarding scholarships of any kind (merit based or need based), even if the student "knows" they may not qualify.
Aid from completing the FAFSA can be used for traditional academic degree plans AND technical/vocational programs as long as those are completed through a junior college or college.
Remember, the class of 2026 will be completing the FAFSA "2026-2027" application.

Here are some things you can do to help prepare.

Create a FSA ID account here.
Gather necessary documents.
Determine your Dependency Status (most students will be "dependents")
If you are a "dependent," find out which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your FAFSA.
Stay informed by following Federal Student Aid on Facebook or @FAFSA on X.

Special Types of Financial Aid (Waivers, Exemptions, Tuition Assistance)

The Texoma Promise is a commitment and partnership of North Texas school districts, Grayson College, universities and the Texoma community.

The Texoma Promise Program covers tuition and fees through a combination of grants and scholarships.

Exemptions are a type of financial assistance allowing some Texas residents to attend a public college or university in Texas without paying tuition or, in some cases, tuition and fees. Examples include students who are deaf/blind, students who are currently in foster care or who were in foster care in Texas, etc.

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

GI Bill benefits help you pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

Texas Workforce Solutions offers tuition assistance for students with disabilities, usually with a 504 or IEP plan, who qualify.

Several colleges in Texas offer FULL scholarships for students who qualify based on their financial need and academic ability.

Scholarships

National Scholarships

- Scholarships that are open to students around the country or large region. Can be general but are typically related to a specific field, social-economic status, or other specific criteria.
- Student develop a profile with a national scholarship database and finding “matching” scholarships using websites like GoingMerry, Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Chegg, and Big Future.

State/Local Scholarships

- Scholarships only open to students in our immediate area or state.
- Find local scholarships on Google Classroom and the VAHS Counseling Website. Most local scholarships are published in the spring.

Merit-Based Freshman Scholarships

- Scholarships based on academic achievement (ACT/SAT scores, GPA, rank, etc.)
- Usually part of the Freshman college application. Typically given in “Tiers” (different amount for different levels of academic achievement)

Need-Based Scholarships

- Scholarships typically based on Adjusted Gross Income as reported on FAFSA.

Institutional Scholarships

- Scholarships given out by a specific college or department.
- Students should look for an additional application for these on college websites.

VAHS Scholarship List

Mrs. McBryde, Senior Seminar Teacher and Senior Sponsor, and Mrs. Dyer, VAHS Counselor A-L, maintains an ongoing list of national, state, and local scholarships to assist our students finding more scholarships!

Don't fall victim to financial aid or scholarship scams!!

You do not have to pay to apply for scholarships, get loan assistance, or complete the FAFSA. Checks these resources out to stay informed! FAFSA AVOIDING SCAMS FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

National Scholarship Databases

Create a student profile to find scholarship matches!

Going Merry National Database

FastWeb National Database

Big Future National Database

Scholarships.com National Database

Receiving Financial Aid

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship funds can be distributed in different ways, depending on the specific scholarship. In some cases, the money is sent directly to your college and applied to tuition, fees, or other charges, with any remaining amount refunded to you. In other instances, the funds may be issued to you directly, often in the form of a check. The scholarship provider should explain how the funds will be disbursed when notifying you of the award. If they don’t, be sure to ask for clarification. If the scholarship is local or from a third-party, it may not appear on your Award Letter you receive in the spring. Make sure you report scholarships to your college's financial aid office as soon as possible.

FEDERAL AID (FAFSA) AND AWARDS FROM YOUR COLLEGE (AWARD LETTERS)

After you submit your financial aid application, you’ll typically receive a financial aid award letter from the college(s) you applied to in early to mid-April. This letter outlines the details of your financial aid package—a combination of different types of aid from various sources. COMPARE your award letters if you have applied to multiple colleges to see which one has the best out-of-pocket price. Once you receive the award letter, you may be required to sign and return it, indicating which aid options you accept or decline. Keep in mind that if you choose to reject any portion of the aid package, such as loans, the college will not increase other types of aid to make up the difference. Check out the resources below to better understand your award letter!

GoingMerry College Board BigFuture FederalAid.Gov

Don't forget to complete your housing application once it opens if you are living on campus!!!

College housing applications are forms students complete to request on-campus living arrangements, such as dorms or residence halls. These applications typically open in the spring or early summer before the academic year begins, with deadlines varying by institution. Applying early can improve your chances of getting preferred housing, as many colleges assign rooms based on the order applications are received or class standing, with first-year students often given priority. The application usually asks for personal information, housing and roommate preferences, and may require selecting a meal plan or paying a deposit. Students can request specific roommates or be paired based on lifestyle and habit surveys. Room assignments may also take into account participation in special programs like honors housing or living-learning communities, as well as medical or accessibility needs. Policies for changing or canceling housing vary, and there may be fees involved.

Tips and tricks: Apply as early as possible to maximize your housing options. Be honest on roommate surveys to get a better match, and if you have a preferred roommate, both of you should request each other. Research different residence halls ahead of time—some may have better locations, amenities, or social environments. If you have special needs or requests (such as medical conditions or quiet study areas), be sure to indicate them clearly in the application. Lastly, stay organized and keep track of deadlines and communications from your housing office to avoid any surprises.

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