Obtaining a college degree can be one of the most rewarding and important decisions in your life. Whatever type of school beyond high school you attend—whether it’s university, trade school or community college—you have to be thinking about how you’re going to pay for it. The cost of education continues to rise every year, but the investment is worth it. Fortunately, there is almost $150 billion in estimated financial aid available. There are over 14 million students receiving just federal aid alone each year with grants, work-study, and low interest loans through various federal aid programs.