Every year, millions of students are faced with a decision that will greatly affect their future: choosing the right college. As of fall 2013, approximately 21.8 million students were attending U.S. colleges and universities (Fast Facts). It is important to make sure you choose the right college because it will affect your future and determine the type of education you receive. When choosing the right college, a few things to consider are cost, academics, and campus (As You Research Colleges). When it comes to choosing the right college, one of the most important factors is price. In the 2011-2012 school year, the average annual cost for an undergraduate student at a national four-year institution was $14,292 and $33,047 for a private institution (Fast Facts). It's important to research college prices and ask about the cost of tuition, books, room and board, and any additional fees. As you research, find out about each college's financial aid, scholarships, and student loan opportunities. The cost of college greatly affects the decision of the student and their parents. This can prevent a student from going to college even if they have good grades and want to go. One scholarship that many students strive to obtain is an athletic scholarship. However, only about one to two percent of undergraduate students in baccalaureate programs receive athletic scholarships (athletic scholarships). According to the NCAA, Division I and II schools offer more than $2 billion in athletic scholarships to more than 126,000 students each year (How Athletic Scholarships Work). If a student is applying for scholarships or financial aid, remember that they won't know...... middle of paper ....... they don't know which university to go to and they plan the future. College may seem far away now, but before you know it, you too will have to make an important choice about college. Works Cited “When researching career colleges and schools, consider factors such as cost, location, accreditation, and more. » Federal student aid. Np, and Web. May 12, 2014. “Quick Facts.” Fast facts. Institute of Education Sciences, nd Web. May 12, 2014. “How do athletic scholarships work?” NCAA. NCAA, nd Web. May 12, 2014. “Sports Scholarships, Athletic Scholarships and Financial Aid for Student-Athletes.” » The SmartStudent guide to financial aid. FinAid, and Web. May 10, 2014. “Tuition Information and Resources.” University of Texas at Arlington. Np, and Web. May 11, 2014. “What makes a school big or small?” » American News. USNews & World Report, June 22, 2011. Web. May 12 2014.