A college education can be expensive ­ and the cost of tuition, books and fees will only continue to rise. But there are a variety of resources and requirements for financial aid. For instance, your child may be outstanding academically or have a special talent which could lead to financial assistance in the form of scholarships, and the student may or may not have to demonstrate financial need. Need is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend college and what the student's family can afford to pay based on income and other assets and expenses. To be considered for federal and many other types of aid, the student must complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For a form, call 800-4-FED-AID or download the form from the Department of Education's financial aid page, www.fafsa.ed.gov. College-based scholarships, private scholarships, loans, part-time employment, co-op and work-study programs are other options that can help lower costs. Ask your student's Guidance Counselor or College Recruiter for more information, or visit www.asee.org. Click on to find an ETE school near you.