College Financial Fit Matters: Understanding Cost & Aid
There is a very specific moment in the college process when even the calmest, most rational families temporarily lose their minds. It is not the essay deadline or even the admissions decisions. It is the financial aid package letter. There are numbers everywhere. Tuition. Fees. Grants. Scholarships. Loans. Work-study. “Estimated cost of attendance.” “Net cost.” Something called “Parent PLUS” that sounds friendly but is actually scary. The letter usually suggests you should feel reassured—and yet, you do not. Because, unlike essays or extracurriculars, this part is not abstract or philosophical. It’s math, and math feels final. Why Financial Aid Letters [...]
How to Read College Financial Aid Letters
So, your student got into college—congrats! But now you’re staring at a financial aid letter that looks more like a puzzle missing a few pieces. Grants, loans, work-study… and where exactly is the part that tells you how much you are actually paying? You’re not alone. Colleges aren’t exactly known for making financial aid letters easy to read. But don’t worry—we’re here to help you decode them like a pro. Start With the Total Cost of Attendance (COA) First things first: Find the college’s Cost of Attendance (COA). This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and sometimes a generous [...]