Money · 3 quick wins first

Sort your aid offer in 3 steps

Start by finding the cost period shown, free aid, loans, and work-study. The comparison can continue in smaller steps.

Start here

Do these 3 first

Pause after these if you need to. The important follow-ups stay easy to find below.

Find “Cost of Attendance.”This is the school’s estimate for the period shown, often one academic year. It is not necessarily the amount on your bill.
Find every grant and scholarship.Add these together. They usually do not need to be repaid, but check any conditions.
Mark loans and work-study separately.Do not count either as free aid. Loans are repaid. Work-study is earned through a job and is not guaranteed up front.

After these 3

You can now see the school’s estimated cost, free aid, loans, and work-study. Pause if you need to, then use the saved follow-ups before deciding.

Finish the full checkOpen 5 important follow-up checks

These still matter. You do not have to handle them in the same sitting.

Estimate your cost after grants and scholarships.Subtract grants and scholarships from cost of attendance for a basic net price estimate. On a separate line, note personal costs the school estimate leaves out.
Check what you must pay directly to the school.Compare the bill with the broader cost of attendance so books, food, housing, and travel do not disappear.
Check whether each grant and scholarship renews.Look for grade, enrollment, application, or yearly limits.
Review every loan before accepting it.Check the borrower, interest rate, fees, and when interest begins.
Send one list of questions to financial aid.Ask before you accept anything that is unclear.

Only when you need one