Compare financial aid offers
Type up to four aid offers and see each school's net price, loans and what your family still has to pay, side by side.
College Financial Aid Organizer 2027-28
Keep the documents for the form, every deadline and all your offers in one file.
Also in the Big Life Plans 2027 Bundle (US$ 24).
How the math works
Net price = cost of attendance − gift aid (grants and scholarships you don't repay). Still to pay = net price − work-study − loans. Example: Sample State University costs $29,000; $9,500 of gift aid (32.8%) leaves a $19,500 net price; with $2,000 of work-study and $5,500 of loans, $12,000 is still to pay. Sample Private College: $72,000 − $37,500 = $34,500 a year, $138,000 over 4 years. The community college has the lowest net price, $12,500.
What is the difference between net price and still to pay?
Net price is the real cost after free money. Still to pay is what's left after work-study and loans too, but loans have to be paid back, so compare net price first.
Do aid offers include the same costs?
Not always. Some letters leave out housing, books or transportation. Use the school's full cost of attendance for each one so the comparison is fair.
Is gift aid the same every year?
Not necessarily. Some scholarships need a minimum GPA to renew and costs usually rise. Ask each school what happens in years 2 to 4.
Organizing tool, not financial advice. Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Organizer, not financial aid advice. Check dates at studentaid.gov and each school. Examples use made-up numbers.