AidCalc

Scholarship Calculator

Total cost minus total aid — your real out-of-pocket college expense.

Cost of Attendance

Tuition

Room & board

Fees & books

Financial Aid

Scholarships

Grants

Other aid

What you entered

Tuition: $35,000Room & board: $12,000Scholarships: $15,000Grants: $5,000

1
Total cost of attendance
$35,000 + $12,000 + $3,000= $50,000
2
Total financial aid
$15,000 + $5,000 + $2,000= $22,000
3
Net cost (out-of-pocket)
$50,000 − $22,000= $28,000

Result

Net cost: $28,000

The total cost of attendance is $50,000 per year. After $22,000 in aid, your out-of-pocket cost is $28,000 per year ($112,000 over 4 years).

Net out-of-pocket college cost after aid, by school type

Illustrative one-year packages, each built from tuition plus room and board plus fees and books, minus scholarships, grants, and other free aid. The four-year column simply multiplies the annual net cost by four.

Scenario	Cost of attendance	Total aid	Net cost per year	Net over 4 years
Community college, living at home	$5,500	$3,500	$2,000	$8,000
In-state public, no aid	$26,000	$0	$26,000	$104,000
In-state public, modest aid	$26,000	$8,000	$18,000	$72,000
In-state public, strong aid	$26,000	$18,000	$8,000	$32,000
Out-of-state public, no aid	$45,000	$0	$45,000	$180,000
Out-of-state public, merit aid	$45,000	$15,000	$30,000	$120,000
Private, no aid	$59,000	$0	$59,000	$236,000
Private, average aid package	$59,000	$30,000	$29,000	$116,000
Private, large merit award	$59,000	$45,000	$14,000	$56,000
Private, full ride	$59,000	$59,000	$0	$0

These are illustrative scenarios, not quoted prices - run your own school's numbers above. Costs and aid both vary enormously by institution and by family finances, so treat every row as a shape rather than a forecast. Count only free money as aid: loans and work-study lower what you pay today but not what the degree costs, and student loans have to be repaid with interest. The four-year figure assumes cost and aid both stay flat, which they rarely do - published costs typically rise a few percent a year and merit awards may not renew if you fall below a GPA condition.

Sticker price vs net price

The average published tuition at a private university is ~$42,000/year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is ~$15,000. Always calculate net price — the sticker price is what almost nobody actually pays. The FAFSA and CSS Profile are your gateway to institutional and federal aid.

Types of financial aid

Scholarships and grants are free money (merit-based or need-based). Work-study is earned income. Loans must be repaid — federal subsidized loans don't accrue interest while in school, unsubsidized ones do. Always maximize free aid before borrowing, and exhaust federal loans before private ones.

Frequently asked questions

Tuition is $42,000 and I have $25,000 in scholarships — what's my real cost?

Your net tuition cost is $17,000. But total cost of attendance also includes room and board, books, and fees (often $15,000-$20,000 more), so enter all costs and all aid sources above for the full picture.

Do scholarships count as taxable income?

Scholarships used for tuition and required fees are generally tax-free. Amounts used for room, board, or other living expenses are typically taxable. This varies by scholarship terms — consult a tax advisor for your specific situation.

How much student loan debt is typical?

The average US bachelor's degree graduate carries about $28,000-$30,000 in student loan debt. Use the student loan repayment calculator to see how long it takes to pay off your projected borrowing.

What's the difference between net price and sticker price?

Sticker price is the published tuition and fees. Net price is what you actually pay after subtracting grants, scholarships, and other free aid. The average student at a private university pays about $15,000 net, despite a $42,000 sticker price.