Scholarship Calculator
Calculate net college cost after scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. See remaining out-of-pocket need.
Quick Answer
Net Cost = Total Cost of Attendance - Financial Aid. If COA is $56,200 and total aid is $33,000, your net cost is $23,200 per year.
Cost of Attendance (annual)
Financial Aid (annual)
Results
$56,200
Total COA
$33,000
Total Aid
$23,200
Net Cost (Out of Pocket)
58.7%
Cost Covered
About the Scholarship Calculator
Understanding the true cost of college requires looking beyond the sticker price. The net cost, the total cost of attendance minus financial aid, is what you actually pay. This calculator helps you compare financial aid packages from different schools and understand how scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study contribute to covering your education costs.
Gift Aid vs Self-Help Aid
Financial aid comes in two categories. Gift aid includes scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. Self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study, which either must be repaid or require working. When comparing packages, prioritize the one with more gift aid.
Understanding Net Price
The net price is the most important number when comparing colleges. A school with $60,000 tuition and $40,000 in scholarships costs the same net amount as a school with $25,000 tuition and $5,000 in scholarships. Always look at the bottom line, not the sticker price. Many expensive private schools actually cost less than public universities for students who qualify for generous financial aid.