College Scholarship Gap Analyzer
See how far your scholarship package stretches before loans or savings must fill the gap. Enter the annual cost of attendance and the total scholarships or grants awarded. Optionally add mandatory program fees that fall outside the published cost. The calculator highlights the portion covered, the remaining funding gap, and a monthly payment target to close it.
Assumes scholarships post in full and mandatory fees remain constant. Confirm billing policies with the financial aid office before making payment commitments.
Examples
- $42,000 cost of attendance, $18,500 in awards, $2,500 mandatory fees ⇒ Scholarship coverage: $18,500.00 (41.57% of billed cost) • Remaining gap: $26,000.00 • Monthly payment target over 12 months: $2,166.67
- $28,000 cost of attendance, $24,000 in awards, no extra fees ⇒ Scholarship coverage: $24,000.00 (85.71% of billed cost) • Remaining gap: $4,000.00 • Monthly payment target over 12 months: $333.33
FAQ
Should I include work-study in the scholarship total?
No. Work-study is earned over time and can help cover the monthly payment target, but it is not guaranteed upfront like scholarships or grants.
How do student loans factor into the gap?
Use the remaining gap to size federal or private loans. For example, a $23,500 gap could be covered with the annual Direct Loan maximum plus a Parent PLUS or private loan for the balance.
Can I model multi-year awards?
Yes. Run separate calculations for each academic year to account for scholarship renewal conditions or step increases in tuition.
Additional Information
- Federal and institutional grants reduce the gap dollar-for-dollar because they do not require repayment.
- Mandatory fees often appear on the first term bill; including them prevents underestimating the true cost.
- Spread the remaining gap across 12 months to align with family cash flow or work-study income planning.