The perception of college affordability and financing is a grim one, fueled by the very real rising costs of higher education, as well as media coverage of how much students and their families are borrowing. While this perception is understandable given the realities of paying for college, how do students and parents feel about the process of college financing? The debt levels they expect to take on? The award packages they receive? The answer: more positive than one might expect. Ruffalo Noel Levitz polled graduating high school seniors about their perceptions of financing college. This report contains valuable insights about students and parents that illustrates how to engage students in the awarding process, address their needs for information on cost and financial aid, and communicate more strategically about their aid packages.