Calculator
My Scholarships
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Timeline
Tips

Scholarship & Financial Aid Calculator

$40,500
Scholarship covers 37.0% of total costs
Remaining need: $14,500
Total Annual Cost
$40,500
per year
Scholarship Coverage
$15,000
per year
Financial Need
$32,500
per year
Total Program Cost
$162,000
4 years
Total Scholarships
$60,000
4 years
Remaining Balance
$58,000
4 years

My Scholarship Portfolio

No scholarships added yet. Add your first scholarship above!

Education Budget Breakdown

Tuition (%)
62%
of total cost
Housing (%)
30%
of total cost
Books (%)
4%
of total cost
Other (%)
4%
of total cost
This breakdown helps you understand where your education money goes and identify potential savings opportunities.

Financial Aid Timeline

January - March
FAFSA Application Period
Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible for maximum aid eligibility.
February - April
Scholarship Application Season
Apply for merit-based scholarships, institutional grants, and private foundation scholarships.
March - May
Financial Aid Awards
Receive financial aid award letters from colleges and compare packages.
May - June
Decision & Acceptance
Accept financial aid packages and confirm enrollment at your chosen institution.
July - August
Final Preparations
Complete loan counseling, finalize payment plans, and prepare for semester start.
Ongoing
Renewal & Maintenance
Maintain GPA requirements, reapply for aid annually, and seek additional scholarships.

Scholarship & Financial Aid Tips

Finding Scholarships

Start early and cast a wide net. Use scholarship search engines, check with your school counselor, local organizations, and employers. Many small scholarships have fewer applicants.

Application Strategy

Tailor each application to the specific scholarship. Read requirements carefully, follow instructions exactly, and submit well before deadlines. Quality over quantity in applications.

Academic Performance

Maintain strong grades throughout high school and college. Many scholarships require minimum GPA for renewal. Consider taking challenging courses to stand out.

Community Involvement

Participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and leadership roles. Many scholarships value well-rounded applicants who contribute to their communities.

Essay Writing

Write compelling, personal essays that tell your unique story. Be authentic, specific, and show how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Proofread carefully.

Letters of Recommendation

Build relationships with teachers, mentors, and employers who can write strong recommendations. Give them plenty of notice and provide information about the scholarship.

Stay Organized

Keep track of deadlines, requirements, and application status. Create a calendar and checklist for each scholarship. Set reminders for renewal requirements.

Avoid Scams

Never pay to apply for scholarships or financial aid. Be wary of "guaranteed" scholarships or those requiring upfront fees. Legitimate scholarships are always free to apply.