Financial Planning
Understand the true cost of college and make informed financial decisions
Net Price Calculator
Predict your actual college cost with ML-powered estimates and ROI analysis
- Compare up to 5 schools
- ROI by major
- Confidence intervals
Award Letter Comparison
Upload and compare financial aid offers to find the best deal
- Side-by-side comparison
- Decode confusing terms
- Calculate true cost
💡 Financial Aid Tips
File the FAFSA Early – Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1st to maximize aid eligibility
Compare Net Prices, Not Sticker Prices – The published tuition is rarely what you actually pay — net price is what matters
Negotiate Your Aid Package – Many schools will match or beat competing offers if you ask — always appeal
Understand Your Loan Terms – Know the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans before accepting
How to Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study. Here's how to get it done right.
Both the student and one parent need an FSA ID at studentaid.gov. This is your electronic signature — create it early, as verification can take up to 3 days.
You'll need Social Security numbers, federal tax returns (or W-2s), bank statements, and records of untaxed income. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can auto-fill tax info.
Go to studentaid.gov/fafsa and complete each section. The new FAFSA is shorter (36 questions vs. 108) and uses prior-prior year tax data. Double-check every field.
Add every school you're considering — each will receive your data and calculate your aid package. Order doesn't matter for federal aid, but some states award aid on a first-come basis.
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) arrives within 3–5 days. Check your Student Aid Index (SAI) — this number determines your aid eligibility. Report any errors immediately.
About 1 in 3 FAFSAs are selected for verification. If chosen, submit requested documents to your school's financial aid office promptly — delays can cost you aid.
⚠️ The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but many states and schools have much earlier deadlines. File as close to October 1 as possible to maximize your aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAFSA What is the FAFSA and why do I need to file it?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free form that determines your eligibility for federal grants (like the Pell Grant), subsidized/unsubsidized loans, and work-study. Most colleges also require the FAFSA to award their own institutional aid — so even if you think you won't qualify, filing opens more doors.
FAFSA Who is eligible to fill out the FAFSA?
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible noncitizens can file the FAFSA. You must have a valid Social Security number, a high school diploma or GED (or be enrolled in an eligible program), and maintain satisfactory academic progress. There is no income cutoff — students from all financial backgrounds should file.
FAFSA What documents do I need to complete the FAFSA?
You'll need your (and your parent's, if dependent) Social Security number, driver's license, federal income tax returns or W-2 forms, bank statements, investment records, and records of any untaxed income. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool within the FAFSA can auto-import your tax information to reduce errors.
FAFSA What is the SAI (Student Aid Index) and how does it affect my aid?
The SAI (formerly EFC — Expected Family Contribution) is a number calculated from your FAFSA data that represents your family's financial strength. Schools subtract your SAI from their Cost of Attendance to determine your financial need. A lower SAI means more need-based aid. The SAI can now go below zero (to -1500), helping the neediest students.
What is the difference between net price and sticker price?
Sticker price is the published cost of attendance. Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships are subtracted. Most students pay significantly less than the sticker price — always compare net prices when evaluating schools.
FAFSA Can I update my FAFSA after submitting it?
Yes. Log back into studentaid.gov to make corrections at any time before the deadline. Common reasons include updating tax information, adding or removing schools, or correcting personal details. If your financial situation changed significantly (job loss, medical expenses), contact your school's financial aid office about a professional judgment review.
FAFSA What if my parents refuse to provide their financial information?
If you're a dependent student and your parents won't fill out the FAFSA, your options are limited for federal aid. You can contact your school's financial aid office to explain the situation — some may offer unsubsidized loans. If you meet certain criteria (age 24+, married, veteran, active duty, orphan, ward of court, emancipated minor, or homeless), you may qualify as independent.
How do I compare financial aid offers from different schools?
Use our Award Letter Comparison tool to upload or enter offers from multiple schools. It normalizes different formats, separates grants (free money) from loans (borrowed money), and calculates true out-of-pocket costs so you can make an apples-to-apples comparison.