Navigating the New System of College Pricing and Financial Aid
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Planning Resources
Understand your eligibility for need-based financial aid
Knowing your Student Aid Index (SAI) lets you to understand your qualification for need-based financial aid. Financial aid applications - FAFSA and CSS Profile - calculate your ability to pay for college, called the Student Aid Index (SAI); they subtract your SAI from their full Cost of Attendance to calculate the difference which is your eligibility for need-based aid. Use the calculators below to calculate both federal methodology and institutional methodology Student Aid Indexes and understand colleges’ expectations of your ability to pay.
Know which schools require the CSS Profile
Here’s a list of colleges provided by the College Board the require the CSS Profile. These colleges will use the SAI calculated by the CSS Profile to determine your eligibility for their institutional need-based financial aid.
Calculate your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI)
Calculate your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) – or your family’s ability to pay based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use this to determine your eligibility for need-based aid at FAFSA schools.
Explore colleges' generosity to meet your need-based eligibility
It’s important to know how much of your need-based eligibility a college will be meet with their offer. Most schools can’t provide a financial aid package that covers your full need. Use the resources below for early insights into colleges’ commitment to meet your need-based eligibility and the costs of a gap in your financial aid package.
Compare colleges based on their generosity to meet your need
Search this database that contains 450 colleges with key data points on need-based awards from the Common Data Set (CDS). Compare colleges by what percentage of need they meet on average and how much they may gap need-based financial aid, and download the results.
Know which colleges provide financial aid offers to your full financial aid eligibility
The list of colleges that meet 100% of financial aid eligibility, including those that meet need with no student loans.
Calculate your estimated financial aid packages and gaps
Explore your demonstrated need and estimated need-based financial aid offers at 450 colleges. This interactive tool provides insights into colleges’ financial aid policies and their impact on your out-of-pocket costs
Start with aid eligibility estimates with MyinTuition
Quick college cost estimator provides an initial estimate of your need-based aid eligibility for 65+ colleges.
Find Net Price Calculators for every college
Net Price Calculators are provided on every college’s financial aid website to allow you to enter family financial information and receive an estimated financial aid offer.
Explore colleges' generosity with merit-based scholarships
The vast majority of colleges offer merit scholarships to discount their large sticker prices. The range of generosity varies widely. You can get early insights on what to expect from colleges. Use this financial aid data to explore the colleges that offer merit aid.
Compare colleges based on their generosity with merit-based scholarships
Search this database that contains 450 colleges with key data points on merit-based awards from the Common Data Set (CDS). Look up colleges by the percentage of non-need qualified students who receive merit scholarships and the average amounts, and download the results.
Resources for Financial Aid from California
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Explore 95+ Public Universities in 15 western states that offer California residents reduced tuition at 150% of the in-state tuition rate.
Cal Grant Programs
Eligibility requirements and steps to apply for the Cal Grant, including income and asset ceilings for 2025-26 Cal Grants.
Middle Class Scholarship
Eligibility requirements and steps to apply for the Cal Grant, including income and asset ceilings for 2025-26 Middle Class Scholarships.