Financial Aid Impact Calculator
What will I actually pay?
Subtract gift aid from total attendance cost to see your real funding requirement.
Use This Calculator in Minutes
Estimate your true college cost after grants and scholarships—not just sticker price.
Common calculations
- Calculate net price after gift aid
- Estimate remaining funding gap
- Compare aid package scenarios
You get
- Total free money amount
- Net price after aid
- Estimated remaining gap
Quick Result
Estimated funding gap
$25,000
Net price after aid: $28,000
Based on
- • Total cost of attendance: $35,000
- • Grants: $5,000
- • Scholarships: $2,000
- • Savings/contributions: $3,000
Funding Gap (Loans Needed)
Recommended Next Steps
Continue your journey with these related tools
De-coding Financial Aid Letters
Key Insights & Concepts
Colleges are notorious for making financial aid letters confusing. They often list loans alongside grants as Awards, making the total look bigger than it really is.
The Net Price Formula
Net Price = Sticker Price - Gift Aid
Gift Aid: Grants and Scholarships (Money you do not pay back).
Self-Help Aid: Loans and Work-Study (Money you must earn or repay).
Tip: Never subtract loans to calculate the net price. Loans are deferred costs.
Types of Aid
- Grants (Need-Based): Federal Pell Grants, FSEOG, State Grants. Based on your family\'s income (FAFSA).
- Scholarships (Merit-Based): Academic, athletic, or artistic awards. Based on talent/grades, not income.
- Work-Study: A job program where the government subsidizes your wages. You must work hours to earn this; it is not a lump sum check.
Frequently Asked Questions
This tool is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Calculations are estimates and may not reflect real-world variables or local regulations. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
Methodology and Trust
Formulas
Total aid
Total Aid = Grants + Scholarships
Net price
Net Price = Cost of Attendance - Total Aid
Funding gap
Gap = max(0, Net Price - Savings/Contributions)