Lesson 1: Setup your Net Price Calculator Worksheet.

  • Click here to access the 'Net Price Calculator' form. This is where you will record the net price information from each of your colleges.
    • Make a copy of the document and click onto the box 'Share it with the same people' (this will ensure that we have access to the document that you have created).
    • Replace 'Copy of' in the name of the document with your first and last name (properly capitalized).
    • Select 'SHARE' to confirm that the document has been shared to collegeplanningcohort@gmail.com. You may also add the email address of your parent, mentor, or cohort facilitator.

Lesson 2:Net Price Calculator. All U.S. colleges and universities state accepting federal funds are required to provide a Net Price Calculator on their website. However, some colleges do not host their own Net Price Calculator and provide a link to another website, typically the U.S. Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator Center or to the College Board:

  • The Net Price Calculator Center will direct you to the Net Price Calculator of most U.S. colleges and universities: https://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx
  • College Board: http://netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org (Note: you may save your financial data in your College Board account.) Go to the following link to view the College Board’s list of participating institutions: https://professionals.collegeboard.org/higher-ed/financial-aid/netprice/participating-schools
  • U.S. News & World Reports (https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/features/net-price-calculator) provides links to the net price calculators for most U.S. National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges.
  • If you are still unable to identify the net price calculator for a particular institution, perform an Internet search on the term “College Name + Net Price Calculator.”
  • Complete the Net Price Calculator: Answer each of the questions based on your personal background, family circumstances, and financial resources. Answer all questions and provide estimates when necessary. The following amounts will be calculated:
    • Estimated tuition and fees
    • Estimated room and board charges
    • Estimated costs of books and supplies
    • Estimated other expenses (e.g., transportation, personal expenses)
    • Estimated grant aid
    • Estimated Federal sources of financial aid (i.e., Pell Grant, Work Study, and federal student loans)
  • Complete the “Net Price Calculator” form provided with this activity.