The rising cost of attending U.S. colleges and universities is a growing concern, as most Americans believe that college is out of financial reach for many otherwise qualified students. For federal policymakers, concerns focus on issues of affordability, access for low income students, and whether federal student financial aid is keeping pace with rising prices. This book presents the current status and historical trends of college costs, with an emphasis on the prices undergraduate students are ultimately charged at the varying types of institutions of higher education and how they pay for post-secondary education using student financial aid.