How to Compare Financial Aid Award Letters the Right Way
When the financial aid award letters start rolling in, they can be confusing—and deceptively similar. But just because two schools offer the same “total aid” doesn’t mean they’ll cost you the same out-of-pocket.
At Diversified College Planning, we help families decode award letters line by line, so you know exactly what you’re committing to—before it’s too late.
Key Things to Watch For
Most award letters are vague by design. Watch out for:
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Aid labeled as “loans” or “work-study”—these aren’t free money
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Offers that include first-year-only scholarships
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Missing details on renewal requirements
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Cost gaps that still exist after aid is applied
Our Approach: Apples-to-Apples Comparison
We provide families with a clear breakdown of:
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True net cost (not just “aid totals”)
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4-year projected costs
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Out-of-pocket comparisons across all schools
This helps families avoid the classic mistake of choosing a school based on inflated aid, only to discover they can’t sustain the cost.
Contact Us Today:
Got award letters in hand? Let’s compare them together and find the real best deal.
📞 Call us at 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule a free consultation: Book with Jarad
Or visit our Contact Page: https://diversifiedcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/
