Question 1

How is net price different from the funding gap?

Accepted Answer

Net price is cost of attendance less grants and scholarships, not less loans, work-study, or your savings. Savings can fund part of that net price; the remaining cash gap is shown separately. A monthly budget spreads the net price over your chosen number of months and is not a loan payment.

Question 2

Are these current IPEDS averages or financial-aid predictions?

Accepted Answer

No. The previous unsourced sample costs and income/GPA grant adjustments have been removed. Enter current costs and gift-aid amounts from a college budget, official net-price estimate or award letter. This tool compares those inputs; it does not calculate FAFSA, SAI, Pell eligibility, merit aid or a college-specific award.

Question 3

How do I avoid counting scholarships twice?

Accepted Answer

Enter institutional/federal/state gift aid in the grant field and only additional scholarships not already included in that amount in the separate scholarship field. If a school estimate already includes an outside award, do not add it again. A full cost-of-attendance budget can include indirect living, transportation and personal costs even when they are not billed by the college.

Question 4

How are multiple colleges and savings compared?

Accepted Answer

Up to three colleges are alternative enrollment choices for one student. Enter amounts for a single, identified academic year and the relevant residency/program/living arrangement. Your entered savings is evaluated separately for each alternative; the tool does not allocate the same savings to multiple simultaneous enrollments. College figures can change; recheck the school’s official tool and award letter.

College Net Price Calculator

Step 1: Select Colleges

University of Virginia

Virginia Tech

Harvard University

Northern Virginia Community College

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Understanding College Net Price

How This Calculator Works

Frequently Asked Questions