When students search for colleges, they are trying to make sense of a financial system many find confusing, overwhelming, and emotionally stressful. Findings from the 2026 Students' Perceptions of College Financing Report reveal that concerns about affordability, financial aid, and student loans influence college decisions much earlier than many institutions realize. For many students, uncertainty about cost becomes a reason to stop exploring altogether.
Join us for this webinar as we explore how cost confusion and loan anxiety shape student behavior, perceptions of value, and college choice. You will learn practical strategies for simplifying cost communications, creating a more transparent affordability narrative, and aligning financial aid, enrollment, and student-facing communications around a clear message. The session will also highlight how one institution transformed complexity into clarity and share actionable approaches for helping students and families better understand the true cost and value of college.