Lesson
Cost of Attendance
Summary
College tuition is just the sticker price—the real bill runs far higher. This lesson breaks down the direct and indirect costs of attending college so students can plan for the true Cost of Attendance.
Bellringer: The Real Price Tag
- Pose the $15,000 tuition question and let students guess the full yearly cost.
- Surface the gap between sticker price and actual price before defining COA.
Instruction
- Define Cost of Attendance, then split direct vs. indirect costs across slides.
- Close by previewing strategies that lower the net price.
Discussion: Maya's Two Options
- Walk through Maya's local vs. out-of-state choice.
- Push students to estimate net price, not just the $5,000 tuition difference.
Activity: Cost of College Pretest & Game
- Students take the Cost of College pretest, then play the game.
- Game is the only task this segment—allow full play time.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Explain the difference between direct and indirect costs.
- List 3 COA elements that students often forget.
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 min | Bellringer: The Real Price Tag |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 8 min | Discussion: Maya's Two Options |
|
| 18 min | Activity: Cost of College Pretest & Game |
|
| 2 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Cost of College Pretest
Assess student knowledge before the college costs unit.
Cost of College
Students research real college costs and build an annual budget.
Class Presentation
Includes a 15-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 11: Planning for College
Cost of Attendance
College tuition is just the sticker price—the real bill runs far higher. This lesson breaks down the direct and indirect costs of attending college so students can plan for the true Cost of Attendance.
Savings Vehicles
A tuition gift card isn't just generous—it's a tax-advantaged savings vehicle in disguise. Explore how 529 and 529A accounts turn education savings into a smarter, tax-free strategy.
FAFSA
Billions in free college aid go unclaimed every year over a 12-minute form. This lesson demystifies the FAFSA and helps students build a realistic plan to fund education beyond high school.
How do Banzai lesson plans work? See the FAQ.