Determining how much a college costs depends on whether you are interested in finding out the sticker price (COA) or the price you will actually pay (your Net Price). Knowing both numbers is extremely valuable. 

FAFSA made all the headlines this past year, with the SNAFU surrounding the roll out of the major updates to the form families use to apply for financial aid, but about 200 schools weathered the storm just fine. How? They require CSS Profile form in addition to FAFSA.