Unfortunately financial aid award letters all look different. Our friend and colleague John Leach, associate vice provost for enrollment and university financial aid at Emory University uses this illustration in presentations to families to help them see how costs may compare.
Create your own spreadsheet or use the one below, in order to assess your financial aid offers in a uniform manner, and to understand the real costs of earning a college degree at each of the schools you are considering. This financial decision spreadsheet will allow you to have transparent conversations and open discussions about the implications on your family and future.
COLLEGE | ​ | ​ | ​ |
TOTAL COST OF ATTENDANCE: | ​ | ​ | ​ |
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Federal Grant | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Institutional Grant | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Institutional Scholarship | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Other Scholarship Aid | ​ | ​ | ​ |
​TOTAL GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP AID: | ​ | ​ | ​ |
​ | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Subsidized Student Loans | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Unsubsidized Student Loans | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Federal Perkins Loan | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Parent Loan | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Other Loan | ​ | ​ | ​ |
Work-Study | ​ | ​ | ​ |
​TOTAL LOAN OFFER: | ​ | ​ | ​ |
​ | ​ | ​ | |
TOTAL FINANCIAL AID OFFER: | ​ | ​ | ​ |
COST TO YOU: | ​ | ​ | ​ |