Lesson
Cost of Attendance
Summary
College tuition is just the sticker price—the real bill runs far higher. This lesson breaks down the direct and indirect costs of attending college so students can plan for the true Cost of Attendance.
Bellringer: The Real Price Tag
- Pose the $15,000 tuition question and let students guess the full yearly cost.
- Surface the gap between sticker price and actual price before defining COA.
Instruction
- Define Cost of Attendance, then split direct vs. indirect costs across slides.
- Close by previewing strategies that lower the net price.
Discussion: Maya's Two Options
- Walk through Maya's local vs. out-of-state choice.
- Push students to estimate net price, not just the $5,000 tuition difference.
Activity: Cost of College Pretest & Game
- Students take the Cost of College pretest, then play the game.
- Game is the only task this segment—allow full play time.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Explain the difference between direct and indirect costs.
- List 3 COA elements that students often forget.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 min | Bellringer: The Real Price Tag |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 8 min | Discussion: Maya's Two Options |
|
| 18 min | Activity: Cost of College Pretest & Game |
|
| 2 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Cost of College Pretest
Assess student knowledge before the college costs unit.
Cost of College
Students research real college costs and build an annual budget.
Class Presentation
Includes a 15-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 11: College & Beyond
Cost of Attendance
College tuition is just the sticker price—the real bill runs far higher. This lesson breaks down the direct and indirect costs of attending college so students can plan for the true Cost of Attendance.
FAFSA & College Funding
Every year billions in free college aid goes unclaimed—all because of a 12-minute form. Explore FAFSA, grants, scholarships, and work-study so students can build a real plan to afford school after graduation.
Student Loan Basics
Student loans aren't free money—they're a bet on your future income. This lesson equips future graduates with the 1x rule, the subsidized vs. unsubsidized distinction, and a strategy to bridge the gap before borrowing.
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