Find Out How Much College Aid You Can Get
This calculator will give you a quick estimate.
By now, your high school senior has received letters from the colleges he applied to letting him know whether he's been accepted. Which one he attends could depend on the price tag and whether your family can get financial aid.
In our Quick and Easy Financial Fixes, we suggest a fast way to get a rough idea of how much aid you could receive. FinAid.org has an Quick Expected Family Contribution Calculator that takes just one minute to complete. It will help you understand the major variables that affect financial aid.
For a more-accurate estimate, try FinAid's Financial Aid Estimation Form. For tips on how to increase your child's chances of receiving funding, see Improve Your odds for College Aid.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
To learn why some families get more aid than others, see Cracking the Financial Aid Code. And learn how to interpret a college-aid letter with our new interactive tool.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Award-winning journalist, speaker, family finance expert, and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk.
Cameron Huddleston wrote the daily "Kip Tips" column for Kiplinger.com. She joined Kiplinger in 2001 after graduating from American University with an MA in economic journalism.
-
Stocks Chop as the Unemployment Rate Jumps: Stock Market TodayNovember job growth was stronger than expected, but sharp losses in October and a rising unemployment rate are worrying market participants.
-
Should You Renew Your CD?With rate cuts impacting earnings, we examine if now is a wise time to renew CDs.
-
7 Ways to Plan Now to Save on Medicare IRMAA Surcharges LaterUnderstand the critical two-year lookback period and why aggressive planning before you enroll in Medicare is the most effective way to minimize IRMAA.
-
New Ways to Use 529 PlansTax-free withdrawals from 529 plans could help you sharpen your job skills.
-
I Want to Help Pay for My Grandkids' College. Should I Make a Lump-Sum 529 Plan Contribution or Spread Funds out Through the Years?We asked a college savings professional and a financial planning expert for their advice.
-
How Intrafamily Loans Can Bridge the Education Funding GapTo avoid triggering federal gift taxes, a family member can lend a student money for education at IRS-set interest rates. Here's what to keep in mind.
-
How an Irrevocable Trust Could Pay for EducationAn education trust can be set up for one person or multiple people, and the trust maker decides how the money should be used and at what age.
-
UTMA: A Flexible Alternative for Education Expenses and MoreThis custodial account can be used to pay for anything once the beneficiary is considered an adult in their state. There are some considerations, though.
-
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts: A Deep DiveWhile there are some limitations on income and contributions, as well as other restrictions, a Coverdell can be a bit more flexible than a 529 plan.
-
529 Plans: A Powerful Way to Tackle Rising Education CostsContributions to 529 plans grow tax-free and are not taxed when they are used to pay for qualified educational expenses for the beneficiary.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.