Financial aid offer letters often confuse students and their parents, with unfamiliar terms mentioned in the letter. Unfortunately, misunderstanding some of the key terms can result in making the wrong decisions. That can lead to a long-term impact on their finances. Understanding what your financial aid offer letter is really important.
Here are a few commonly used words in these letters and what exactly they mean:
What Your Financial Aid Offer Letter is Saying
There are multiple elements to an offer letter–let’s break down the basics.
Cost of Attendance
A particular college’s total cost of attendance. It includes the tuition fees as well as other school-related expenses. For example, room and board, textbooks, transportation, and school supplies, to name a few.
Net Costs
The total amount you pay after subtracting the awarded scholarships and grants from the total cost of attendance.
Gift Aid
Includes all the gift money offered that you do not need to repay. Your total gift aid is calculated by adding up all merit-based scholarship awards that you receive as well as the need-based grants that you receive.
Estimated Family Contribution
Most students and parents find Estimated Family Contribution or EFC the most confusing term of all. The EFC number is an estimate of what the government thinks that a student and their family can contribute towards their education. Schools use this EFC number to calculate how much need-based aid you need to go to school. Schools calculate EFC based on the information provided on the FAFSA.
Comparing Offer Letters
If cost is an important factor in your college search, it’s vital to compare offer letters from the schools you’ve been accepted into. One school might offer more generous aid than another, after all.
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
4.99% - 16.85% Variable
3.47% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
