VALLEY — High school students headed for college can get an idea of how much it costs to attend a college using the school’s net price calculator, according to KHEAA.

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges to have a calculator on their websites.

The calculator will require information about a student’s academic standing and about parents’ finances. It is important to remember that the result is an estimate that may be off by thousands of dollars.

Be sure to look at the net price, not the net cost. The net price is the amount a family can expect to pay toward a student’s college education, including any loans. The net cost takes into account student loans, which must be repaid, so it will look lower than the net price.

KHEAA is a public, non-profit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com.