For some students and their parents, attending college is the economic equivalent of purchasing a house.

A recently released study by The College Board noted about 60 percent of students who earned bachelor’s degrees in 2012 graduated with debt. Among those who borrowed, the College Board reports the average debt was $26,500. According to a recent U.S. News & World Report article, average tuition and fees at public colleges and universities in the U.S. was close to $8,400 in 2013-14 for students studying in their home state and nearly $19,100 for those paying out-of-state tuition, according to data reported to U.S. News in an annual survey. At private colleges, U.S. News and World Report states the average sticker price is nearly $30,500.

Attending college is a path to a better life for many. That better life shouldn’t cost one penny more than absolutely necessary, and students and parents can make sure that is the case by taking the time to attend any one of a number of financial aid seminars in the area.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Jamestown Community College will host Fund Your Future financial aid sessions at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Jan. 8 and Jan. 29 in JCC’s Katherine Jackson Carnahan Center while several area schools – including Panama Central School on Thursday – host their own financial aid nights. In addition to financial aid information, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation houses dozens upon dozens of scholarship funds and awards more than $1 million annually to students attending college.

Missing out on these opportunities could cost you.

Literally.