Old Mill Student Analyzes the Cost of College

When high school students plan for the future, many must first look at the price tag for continuing their education before committing to a specific school. 

For Kelsey Gooden of , her dream is a little more expensive than most. 

The local 17-year-old dreams of becoming an actress and attending a university in New York, according to an interview with BrainTrack.com. But Gooden knows that after tuition, books, room and board, the cost of her education may exceed the resources of her family. 

According to BrainTrack.com, a resource for students and parents planning their college search, Gooden and her family can benefit from doing some research and using the right tools. 

The online resource offered by BrainTrack.com is called a "net price calculator," and helps families analyze the cost of college based on a families combined income, assets and family circumstances. 

Dependent on specific variables, the calculator can help families learn the "real" cost of their college experience while factoring in other variables.

The tool can recognize financial aid opportunities as well and lower the combined expenses of college from $30,000 to as low as $21,000 in one instance.

To read the full story on Kelsey's journey and how the "net price calculator" can help families, head to BrainTrack.com.