Every year millions of students are faced with a decision that will greatly influence their future: choosing the right university. In the fall of 2013, approximately 21.8 million students attended American colleges and universities (Fast Facts). Making sure you choose the right university is important because it will influence your future and determine the type of education you receive. When choosing the right college, some things that need to be considered are cost, academics, and campus (As You Research Colleges). When it comes to choosing the right college, one of the biggest factors is price. During the 2011-2012 school year, the average annual cost for an undergraduate student at a state four-year institution was $14,292 and $33,047 for a private institution (Fast Facts). It is important to research the price of colleges and know the cost of tuition, books, room and board, and any additional costs there may be. As you research, learn about each college's financial aid, scholarships, and student loan opportunities. The cost of college greatly impacts the student's and parents' decision. It can prevent a student from going to college even if they have good grades and want to go. One scholarship that many students strive to receive is an athletic scholarship. However, only about 1-2% of undergraduate undergraduate students receive athletic scholarships (sports scholarships). According to the NCAA, Division I and Division II schools provide more than $2 billion in athletics scholarships to more than 126,000 students each year (How Athletics Scholarships Work). If a student is applying for a scholarship or financial aid, remember that not... halfway through the document ...... the choice of which college to attend is made and plans for the future. College may seem far away now, but before you know it, you too will have to make a big choice about college. Works Cited “As you research colleges and career schools, consider factors such as cost, location, accreditation and more.” Federal student aid. Np, nd Web. May 12, 2014."Quick Facts." Quick facts. Institute of Education Sciences, n.d. Web. May 12, 2014."How do athletics scholarships work?" NCAA. NCAA and Web. May 12, 2014."Sports Scholarships, Athletic Scholarships, and Financial Aid for Student Athletes." The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid. FinAid and Web. 10 May 2014."Information and resources on lessons." University of Texas Arlington. Np, nd Web. May 11, 2014."What makes a school large or small?" News from the United States. USNews & World Report, June 22, 2011. Web. May 12 2014.