b'46WATCH US Graduating On Time:The average time to obtaina college degree is longer than four years. While it is trueVillanova Universitythat the least expensive way to get a degree is to finish in four years or less, there is some funding available during Your Financial Aid Packagea fifth or sixth year of college. Pell Grants can be usedfor up to 12 semesters; institutional financial aid varies, Understand Your Financial Aid Package but will often be granted for a fifth year if needed. Meet Gabriel Lewis, a hypothetical student who willbe attending Heights University, a fictitious state-relateduniversity in Pennsylvania.The CSS PROFILE The total cost for Gabriels first year at Heights University About 400 colleges and scholarship programs is $40,000, calculated as follows:require applicants to fill out the CSS Profile Tuition and Fees:$22,000in addition to the FAFSA. Room and Board:$12,000To determine if your school requires the CSS Books and Supplies:$2,000Profile, to access a copy of the profile, and for tipsPersonal Expenses:$4,000on filing, visit cssprofile.collegeboard.org . TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE:$40,000Once submitted, the College Board will send your profile to the schools and scholarship programs Gabriel filed his FAFSA in December 2023, and he you list. received notice of his financial aid package from The cost for sending your report to one school orHeights University in March 2024.program is $25. Additional reports cost $16 each. Fee waivers are available if you meet income Review Gabriels financial aid award letter and the eligibility requirements. The College Board will accompanying notes on p. 47 to become familiarnotify you if you qualify for a fee waiver after with how the components of a financial aid packageyou complete the application. fit together.Compare Your Financial Aid Packages From each college to which you are accepted, youwill receive a financial aid award letter similar tothe letter Gabriel received from Heights University. Your financial aid award letter can be accessed onyour college portal and may also arrive in the mail. Each financial aid package you are offered will be unique and will likely include a combination of grants, loans, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships. Usethe College Cost Calculator on p. 48 to compare the costs of attending the schools to which you wereaccepted and the financial aid offered by eachWest Chester University school. By making this comparison you will identifythe school that is the best financial fit for you.'