We encourage families to utilize the following tools to determine financial estimates of college:

  • The Federal Student Aid Estimator estimates what federal student aid you may be eligible to receive.
  • Net Price Calculators: What does Net Price mean? Net Price is the amount a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year AFTER subtracting scholarships and grants the student receives. Scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid that a student does not have to pay back. What is a Net Price Calculator? Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students, like them, paid to attend the institution in the previous year after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.

Monetary Award Program (MAP) Estimator: If you’re planning on attending an Illinois college, use the MAP Estimator to get an idea of your eligibility for the Illinois Monetary Award Program or MAP grant.

We hosted a Paying for College Financial Aid Presentation. Miss the webinar? Here is the video recording & slides

Financial Aid Tips 24-25