The idea in plain words
The number on a college website is the sticker price. What a family pays is the net price: the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships, which you do not repay. Loans are not part of that subtraction, because they are borrowed money you repay with interest. Two offers can look similar until you separate gifts from loans. The best time to learn this is before you apply, while every option is still open.
Your plan
- Estimate aidUse the federal estimator early to see a realistic range.
- Compare offersSort each offer into grants, scholarships, work-study and loans.
- Check the repaymentCalculate what a loan costs over its full term.
Try it with our free tool: Loan payoff calculator.
Handpicked resources
Federal Student Aid Estimator
Estimate federal student aid eligibility before completing the FAFSA.
Use for applicable award year, not a substitute for FAFSA.
FAFSA Official Portal
Apply for federal financial aid via the government website.
Personal information required for real applications.
CFPB Comparing Financial Aid Offers
Comparative case study using three fictional college offer letters.
CFPB Financial Aid Offer Comparison
Students select among three fictitious college offers and explain consequences.
Federal Student Aid Repayment Calculator
Compare estimated loan payments and total repayment costs.
FTC Scholarship Fraud Prevention
Official tips for avoiding false promises and upfront-fee scholarship offers.
NGPF PAYBACK College Simulation
Play the consequences of college choice, debt, housing and spending choices.
Select PAYBACK in Arcade.
Knowledge check
Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.
Educational practice, not financial, tax or legal advice.