Perhaps the most unique feature of the College Costs Estimator service is that it is not a one-shot program for families. Those who participate as a result of a grant or other funding in their community have staff at the NCCC available to them via a toll-free phone line and email in the months and years ahead as they continue to have financial aid and college cost questions. The costs involved with this subsequent contact and assistance is built into the initial contracts with foundations, schools and businesses that support the front-end programming and workshops. Therefore, the ongoing support is free to families. There are no hidden costs or additional fees. (In fact, families never pay fees at all, as we try to find grants and other local funding sources to cover the costs of the programming.)