Alison Rabil

The cost of college is both a political issue highlighted in President Obama's State of the Union address, and a personal issue for students and their families seeking to balance debt and educational opportunity.  In a live, interactive "Office Hours" webcast Thursday, Feb. 2, Duke's director of financial aid, Alison Rabil, will answer viewer questions about paying for college.

Watch the interview live beginning at noon Eastern Time on Duke's Ustream channel. To pose a question for Rabil -- before or during the webcast -- send an email to live@duke.edu, tweet with the hashtag #dukelive or post to the Duke University Facebook page.

Rabil has worked in university financial aid for more than 20 years. She was in charge of financial aid at Barnard College in New York before taking her current position at Duke in 2008.

"I did not grow up thinking, 'I want to work in financial aid,'" Rabil says, "but I have found that it is a good place for me and what I like to do. I am passionate about access to education.

"My mission is to be fair, accessible, open-minded and as generous as possible given the parameters within which I must work," she says. "I see myself as an advocate and a voice for those who cannot afford the full cost at Duke."

Duke's Financial Aid website explains the financial aid process in a video, text instructions and an animated presentation. The site also has a link to a financial aid calculator and answers to frequently asked questions.

Duke's "Office Hours" webcast series allows members of the Duke community and others to engage in live conversations with faculty about their research and scholarship. Visit the Office Hours website to see a schedule of upcoming topics, watch past episodes and sign up for email reminders.