Tools to decipher the cost of college

Compare financial aid offers from various schools: apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/compare_aid.jsp

Estimate your family's eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, and education tax benefits:www.getreadyforcollege.org/Estimator/firstQuestions.cfm

Calculate your net price of college -- the cost of attendance minus the grants you're awarded. Colleges will be required to post a net price calculator on their websites by October 2011. Until then, try the College Board's calculator: http://www.collegeboard.com/html/netpricecalculator/

Need a checklist of questions to ask a financial aid officer about your child's award letter? Finaid.org has a comprehensive list: www.finaid.org/fafsa/ FinancialAidAwardLetters.pdf

How much do you need to earn to afford your student loan? http://www.startribune.com/a338