Expenses at over 3,100 schools and colleges are identified for 1987-1988, and information is presented on student financial aid, immediate and long-range planning for meeting college costs, and the new tax laws. Colleges that offer tuition and fee waivers and special tuition payment plans are specified. New information for each college includes the percentage of freshmen receiving need-based and other types of aid; the availability of academic, athletic, art, music/drama, and other scholarships; and application deadlines and need analysis forms required. The following financial aid sources are examined: Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Perkins Loans (formerly National Direct Student Loans), College Work-Study Program, the Guaranteed Student Loan, service academies, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Bureau of Indian Affairs, veterans' education benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, state government programs, aid from the college, and help from private student aid sources. Included are: a glossary, sample financial aid forms, national and regional tables of typical colleges costs, need analysis worksheets, colleges listed alphabetically, and information sources about state grant programs and the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. (SW)