College scholarship estimate
Scholarship Impact Calculator
Use this Scholarship Impact Calculator to compare college costs before and after a new award. See its multi-year value and how much borrowing it could help you avoid.
Calculator
Measure the value of a scholarship
Compare remaining college costs before and after the new award.
Year-by-year scholarship impact
| Year | College cost | Scholarship | Without award | After award | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $36,900 | $5,000 | $18,400 | $13,400 | $5,000 |
| Year 2 | $38,007 | $5,000 | $19,507 | $14,507 | $5,000 |
| Year 3 | $39,147 | $5,000 | $20,647 | $15,647 | $5,000 |
| Year 4 | $40,322 | $5,000 | $21,822 | $16,822 | $5,000 |
| Total | $154,376 | $20,000 | $80,376 | $60,376 | $20,000 |
About This Scholarship Impact Calculator
A scholarship can reduce college net price and the amount a student may need to borrow. However, a one-year award and a four-year renewable award do not have the same long-term value. Therefore, the Scholarship Impact Calculator applies the award only during the years you select.
In addition, the calculator lets you include a confirmed reduction in other gift aid. It then compares the remaining cost before and after the scholarship for each year. As a result, the projected impact reflects both renewal terms and changes to the wider aid package.
How to Use the Scholarship Impact Calculator
Follow these steps for an accurate Potential Borrowing Avoided result
1Choose the Study Period
Select your currency and enter the number of years you want to include in the college cost comparison.
2Enter Your Current College Plan
Add annual cost of attendance, expected cost increases, existing gift aid, and family resources or savings.
3Enter the New Scholarship
Add the annual award and the number of years it is available based on the scholarship's renewal terms.
4Account for Changes to Other Aid
If the school says the scholarship will replace part of another grant or scholarship, enter that annual reduction.
5Compare Costs and Borrowing
Review the before-and-after cost for each year and the total amount of borrowing the award may help you avoid.
How the Scholarship Impact Calculator Works
Baseline Cost
Projected cost minus existing gift aid and family resources creates the before-scholarship amount.
Award Period
The annual scholarship is included only for the number of years it is expected to remain available.
Net Scholarship Benefit
Any entered reduction in other gift aid is subtracted from the new award's effective benefit.
Potential Borrowing Avoided
The difference between the before-and-after remaining costs shows how much less funding may be needed.
Important Scholarship Planning Notes
- Confirm whether the scholarship is a one-time award or renewable for later academic years.
- Check GPA, enrollment, major, application, and satisfactory-progress requirements for renewal.
- Ask the financial aid office whether the new scholarship changes grants, work-study, or loans already offered.
- Use an updated aid offer to confirm the final effect on net price and out-of-pocket costs.
- See the official Federal Student Aid guide to evaluating aid offers for additional comparison guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about calculating GPA at Scholarship Impact Calculator
Still have questions?
For official GPA rules and academic policies, contact the Scholarship Impact Calculator Registrar's Office or your academic advisor.Official resources for checking your estimate
Use these sources to check terms, funding options, and the assumptions behind your estimate.
- Scholarship basics and eligibility
Federal Student Aid
Learn how scholarships work and where to find them.
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