Financial Aid Policies, Research, and Insights

Use our research and insights to help guide your financial aid decision making and ensure funds are delivered to students who need it most.

Guidance for Financial Aid Professionals

As you develop strategies to manage and distribute financial aid rewards to deserving students, consider the following research and insights to meet your institution’s enrollment and retention goals. 

Living Expense Budget

College Board's nine-month and twelve-month living expense budgets show living expense costs by region and metropolitan area. These budgets are provided to assist in developing living expense budgets for independent, off-campus students.

Review Living Expense Budgets

Professional Judgment Tip Sheets

To help you develop institutional professional judgment policies for need-based analysis, College Board is providing these free tip sheets, available to financial aid professionals.

View Tip Sheets

Financial Aid Research

Review the latest trends and research in financial aid, college pricing, and the benefits of higher education.

Browse Research and Trends

Financial Aid News and Insights

Find All Access blog articles related to financial aid management and the latest changes to FAFSA and its impact on higher education professionals.

Review News and Insights

Professional Development and Training

Find College Board events, workshops, and training opportunities developed to help advance the careers of higher education professionals. Explore local, national, international, and online opportunities throughout the year.

Help Us Clear a Path for Students

Join a community of over 6,000 organizations dedicated to improving access to college.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the latest financial aid research provided by College Board, a member of our financial aid services team will be happy to assist you.