Dear Student,

Congratulations! You're about to make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. To make sure you fully understand how much college is going to cost, take a look at examples of financial aid letters other students are getting this spring. Hit our decoder button to find out how the real value of the awards can differ from the impressive totals on the letters. Then, use our glossary and action plans to help you decode your own award letters and make college more affordable. Good luck!