Financial Aid Calculator

Are you married?

Yes No

What is your annual adjusted gross income (AGI)? What is your spouse’s annual AGI? What is your child’s annual AGI? How much do you have in non-retirement bank and investment accounts (excluding 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs)? How much does your child have in non-retirement bank and investment accounts (including UGMA/UTMA and trusts, but excluding 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs)? How much do you, your spouse, and your child have in 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs? How many members will you have in your household when your child enrolled in college (including that child)?

The Financial Aid Calculator helps estimate a student’s potential financial aid eligibility. This tool considers the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the Cost of Attendance (COA) to determine possible aid amounts.

The COA includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, textbooks, supplies, and other education-related expenses.
The EFC is calculated using family income, assets, household size, and the number of family members in college.

This calculator uses the federal methodology outlined in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to estimate the EFC. Many institutions use this figure to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

By inputting financial information similar to what’s required on the FAFSA, users can get an early estimate of their potential aid eligibility before officially applying. This can help in financial planning and in understanding how changes in income or assets might affect aid offers.

Please note that this calculator provides an estimate based on current federal guidelines. Actual aid offers may vary depending on the specific policies of individual institutions and the availability of funds. Some schools may use additional forms like the CSS Profile for a more detailed financial assessment.

This tool is designed to give a general idea of aid eligibility for the upcoming academic year, using simplified versions of federal aid formulas. For the most accurate information, students should complete the FAFSA and contact the financial aid offices of their chosen schools.

How to Use:

Fill out the form with the following information:
- Your marital status
- Your annual adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Your spouse’s AGI (if married)
- Your child’s AGI
- Your non-retirement account balances
- Your child’s non-retirement account balances
- Total amount in 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs
- Number of household members when your child enrolls in college
Click the “Calculate Aid” button to see results.
Review your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI).
If needed, click “Edit answers” to make changes and recalculate.
Use the “Download Your Results” button to save the information.

Why to Use:

Estimate Financial Aid: Get a preliminary idea of your child’s Student Aid Index, which is used to determine financial aid eligibility.
Financial Planning: Understand how your current financial situation may impact college affordability and aid eligibility.
Scenario Testing: Adjust inputs to see how changes in income, assets, or family size could affect aid eligibility.
Preparation for FAFSA: Familiarize yourself with the types of financial information needed for official aid applications.
Budget Forecasting: Use the SAI estimate to begin planning for potential college expenses and aid packages.
Accessibility: Quickly access this information without needing to complete the full FAFSA process.
Informed Decision-Making: Make more educated choices about college savings, applications, and financial strategies.
Time-Saving: Get a rapid estimate without extensive paperwork or waiting for official responses.

Cassandra Toroian

Cassandra Toroian is a sports-tech entrepreneur and CEO/co-founder of Ruley, the AI “e-referee” serving tennis, pickleball, padel, golf, and soccer. With 25+ years building companies—and a background in finance (MBA) plus Python training—she’s also co-founder of Volleybird and author of Don’t Buy the Bull. A former Division I tennis player, she’s focused on using AI to make sport fairer and more accessible.