$4 Billion is available every year to help Texans attend college.


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General Information

Paying starts with planning.

Please don't think that you can't afford to go to college. With the right planning, a college education is within reach for every Texas student. Below are answers to common questions about paying for college.

How much does college actually cost?

The cost of a college education varies, depending on the college you select and whether you live at home or in an apartment or on campus. In Texas, the average price tag for tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, and other expenses for one year ranges from a low of $9,128 (at a public technical college) to a high of $22,255 (at a private college or university).

Some colleges cost much less than the average; others will be higher. For information on private colleges and universities, visit the Texas Mentor (your guide to Texas private colleges) Web site.

What are the major costs of college?

The cost of college can be broken down into two main categories:

  • Instruction and Facilities Costs

    These costs at Public Colleges and Universities are normally paid through a combination of funding from Texas taxpayers, tuition and fees from students and other funding sources. Currently, students and parents pay only about 20 percent of the cost. The amount varies based on the type of school you go to (university, community college, or technical college).

    Although their tuition and fees are higher than public colleges and universities, Private Colleges and Universities in Texas offer a lot of financial aid. The State of Texas also provides grants for needy students to help equalize the tuition costs between public and private schools. So, the actual cost you pay at a private institution may be about the same as that at a public institution. For more information on private colleges and universities, visit the Texas Mentor Web site.

  • Room and Board, Books and Supplies, and Other Living Expenses

    The typical student budget includes room and board (on- or off-campus), books and supplies, transportation costs, and other living expenses. Before you choose your college, you might want to look at College Costs At Texas Colleges And Universities and our Tips For Reducing College Costs.

How will you pay for college?

Many students receive financial aid to help pay for college. Families are expected to contribute to their students' education, even if the contribution is a small one. Most families use a combination of resources to help pay for college. These include:

  • Money they have saved over time
  • A portion of their current income
  • The student's part-time and summer earnings
  • Financial aid, including educational loans
  • Other resources

Typically, families spread the cost of college over a long period of time—the same way you pay for other major expenditures, such as homes and cars.

Many families will need assistance. Students who demonstrate financial need (after completing either the FAFSA or TASFA) may be eligible for federal and/or state financial aid to help pay for college.

What is financial aid?

Student financial aid is money used to help pay for college expenses. It is available from many sources and in many forms: grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, loans, and other programs. Financial aid can be used to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, and the living expenses associated with attending college. For more information on financial aid you might want to look at Types of Financial Aid.

How do you know if you qualify for financial aid?

Generally, students from a family that qualifies for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program will qualify for need-based assistance. If your family's income is above this level, you might still qualify for need-based financial aid.

  • For a full discussion of how financial need is calculated, visit the Explanation of Financial Need site.
  • For an estimate of what your family's expected contribution will be, visit the EFC Calculator site, hosted by College Answer.

Additional Resources

The college financial aid office is the student's best source of information on grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, loans, and other programs. Many resources are also available online, but be wary of sites or companies that charge you for information or promise "guaranteed" scholarships. The same information is free from other sources.

Check out these links: