Student Loan vs. Scholarship Need Analyzer

Step 1: Estimate Your Annual Cost of Attendance (COA)

Enter your estimated costs for one academic year. You can find these on your school's financial aid website or in their admissions materials.

Tuition & Fees ($):

Room & Board (Housing & Food) ($):

Books & Supplies ($):

Personal Expenses & Transportation ($):

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance (COA): $0.00

Step 2: Your Available Funds & Contributions (Annual)

Enter funds you expect to have available for one academic year, excluding any potential new student loans you're trying to figure out.

Scholarships Received/Expected ($):

Grants Received/Expected ($ Federal, State, Institutional):

Family Contributions ($):

Personal Savings / Work-Study Earnings ($):

Total Available Funds (excluding new loans): $0.00

Step 3: Financial Gap Analysis & Resources

Your Financial Gap Analysis:

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance (COA): $0.00

Total Available Funds (Scholarships, Grants, Contributions): $0.00

Estimated Financial Gap / Funding Needed: $0.00

Resources to Help Cover Your Costs (U.S. Focused):

If you have a financial gap, consider these options. Even if you don't, maximizing free aid is always beneficial.

Search for More Scholarships:
- Utilize free online scholarship search engines (e.g., Fastweb, Scholarships.com, College Board's BigFuture).
- Check with your chosen school's financial aid office for institutional scholarships.
- Explore local community foundations, employers, and civic organizations.
Federal Student Aid (Complete the FAFSA®):
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential for federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Visit studentaid.gov to apply.
- Federal Pell Grants: Typically for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
- Federal Work-Study: Provides part-time jobs for students with financial need.
- Federal Student Loans:
  - Direct Subsidized Loans (need-based, interest paid by govt. while in school).
  - Direct Unsubsidized Loans (not need-based, interest accrues).
  - Direct PLUS Loans (for graduate students and parents of undergraduates).
  - Visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans for details.
State Financial Aid: Many states offer their own grant and scholarship programs. Check your state's higher education agency website (often found via a link on the FAFSA confirmation page or by searching online for "[Your State] higher education aid").
Private Student Loans:
- Offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
- Generally require a credit check and may require a cosigner.
- Compare interest rates (fixed vs. variable), fees, and repayment terms carefully.
- Typically should be considered after exhausting federal loan options, as federal loans often offer more borrower protections and flexible repayment plans.

This list provides general guidance. Always research specific eligibility criteria and application deadlines.