One of the most common things parents say to me in January is some version of this: “I don’t even know what college actually costs anymore.”

They’re not wrong. Between sticker prices, net price calculators, merit aid, need-based aid, scholarships, and loans, college costs are presented in a way that feels overwhelming and, frankly, misleading. Two families can look at the same school and walk away with completely different assumptions about affordability.

Here’s the most important thing to understand: the number on a college’s website is rarely the number you’ll pay.

What matters is net price, not sticker price. Net price reflects grants, scholarships, and institutional aid, and it varies widely based on academic profile, residency, and financial circumstances. That’s why comparing colleges based only on published tuition almost always leads families in the wrong direction.

January is actually a great time to slow this conversation down and get clearer. This is the month to:

• Separate myths from reality around “expensive” vs “affordable” schools
• Understand how merit aid and need-based aid work differently
• Look ahead to financial aid offers without panic or guesswork
• Start asking better questions before decisions arrive

Cost conversations don’t need to be scary, but they do need context. When families understand how colleges price themselves and how aid is awarded, they make stronger, more confident decisions and avoid last-minute financial surprises.

That’s exactly what we talk through during Open Office Hours.

On Monday, January 12, the office at Class 101 Waukesha-Brookfield will be open for drop-in conversations. We’ll be happy to talk about college costs and financial aid, or anything else on your mind, from applications to test prep to college lists.

Class 101 Waukesha-Brookfield
15850 W Bluemound Rd, Suite 101
Monday, January 12, 3 – 7 pm

Sometimes clarity around cost is the difference between stress and confidence.