Rays of Light in the Cloudiness of College Costs and Financial Aid (Part 1)
By Zander DiMare, Aslan Wealth Partners
Published In Northampton Living | September 2025
As the new school year approaches, many families find their interest piqued when it comes to applying for college and figuring out the associated costs. Unfortunately, for many, gaining clarity on true college costs and financial aid can be obscure, if not elusive.
The good news is that resources are available to help cut through the confusion. The Hechinger Report, a national nonprofit newsroom dedicated to education, has created a series of tools to empower individuals and families to make better-informed decisions about educational costs.
In this two-part series, we discuss some of these helpful tools.
Understanding the True Cost: Tuition Tracker
The Tuition Tracker (TuitionTracker.org) helps families see the real relationship between a college’s published tuition price and what students actually pay. This can be eye-opening, as the “sticker price” is rarely what most students end up paying.
With Tuition Tracker, families can:
Compare colleges by household income.
Analyze the difference between sticker price and actual cost.
Review admission rates, percentage paying list price, and likelihood of completing a degree within six years.
Exploring Campus Culture and Beyond: The College Welcome Guide
Zander DiMare
Managing Partner Financial Planner
Aslan Wealth Partners
413-309-0916
zdimare@financialguide.com
The College Welcome Guide helps families assess campus culture beyond costs.
It enables families to:
Examine demographics of students and faculty.
Identify services for veterans and students with disabilities.
Understand relevant state laws (e.g., CRT restrictions, voting ID rules).
Compare graduation rates of up to five schools.
The guide compiles data from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and more, presented in interactive formats for easy comparison.
We, at Aslan Wealth Partners, wish you the best in your post-secondary education endeavors. In the October issue of Longmeadow Neighbors, we will continue this discussion.
Other Articles From this Issue…
