Grad Loan Navigator · Official Aid Offer Comparison Report
Prepared client-side in the browser · No financial data is stored on our servers • 10/18/2026
Notice: Loans are legally binding debt obligations with interest and origination fees. They do not reduce the cost of college.
Notice: Loans are legally binding debt obligations with interest and origination fees. They do not reduce the cost of college.
Side-by-Side Offer Summary
| Financial Metric | State University (In-State) 2 years | Private University (Metro) 2 years |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Attendance (Annual) | $28,500 | $58,000 |
| Total Free Money (Gift Aid) | $10,500 | $18,000 |
| Work-Study (Earned) | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| True Net Price (Annual) | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| Remaining Out-of-Pocket Gap | $15,500 | $37,000 |
| Annual Borrowing | $15,500 | $37,000 |
| Total Debt at Graduation | $31,000 | $74,000 |
| Est. Monthly Payment (10-Yr) | $377/mo | $901/mo |
How to Read Your Aid Offer (And Ask for Reconsideration)
Financial aid award letters are notorious for confusing terminology. Learn how to decode your letter line-by-line and negotiate a stronger funding package.
1. The 3 Buckets: Gift Aid vs. Earned vs. Debt
Universities often collapse all funding into a single 'Total Aid Award' sum. Always separate line items into: (1) Free Gift Aid (grants, scholarships, tuition remissions that you keep unconditionally); (2) Earned Work-Study (campus wage paid as you work hours); and (3) Debt (Direct Loans, Grad PLUS, parent loans that accrue interest immediately).
2. Watch for Disguised Loans & Unlisted Expenses
Colleges frequently list 'Direct PLUS Loan Eligibility' as if the school is giving you money. A PLUS loan is an expensive credit-check loan with a 4.228% federal origination fee and high interest. Furthermore, ensure the school's COA includes off-campus rent, food, health insurance, and books—not just tuition.
3. How to Ask a School to Reconsider (Aid Appeals)
Financial aid offers are not final. You can request a reconsideration under two grounds: (A) Special Circumstances (income drop, medical expenses, caretaking costs not captured in prior-prior year tax data); or (B) Competing Merit Offers (asking a preferred institution to match or narrow the gap against a peer university's grant or assistantship package).
Financial Aid Reconsideration Request Email Template
Copy and customize this professional appeal letter to send to your target program's financial aid or graduate admissions coordinator.
Dear Financial Aid Committee at [Name of University],
I am honored to have been accepted into the [Degree / Program Name] program for the upcoming academic year. [Name of University] remains my top choice due to [specific faculty, research center, or curriculum strength].
I am writing to respectfully request a reconsideration of my financial aid award. While I am deeply grateful for the [mention any grant/scholarship received, e.g. $5,000 scholarship], the current net cost creates a significant funding gap for my family.
[Select Option A or B:]
Option A (Competing Offer): I have received an aid offer from [Competing Peer University], which provides [mention competing award, e.g. a $15,000 annual scholarship / graduate assistantship waiver], bringing my remaining out-of-pocket tuition obligation to $[Amount].
Option B (Changed Financial Circumstances): Since filing my financial aid documents, our household's financial situation has materially changed due to [briefly describe job change, extraordinary medical expenses, or reduced income], resulting in [briefly state impact, e.g., an unexpected loss of $X in annual household earnings].
If [Name of University] is able to narrow this funding gap by [specific reasonable amount, e.g. $4,000 to $6,000 per year], I would enthusiastically commit and submit my enrollment deposit immediately.
Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and dedication to supporting graduate students.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Student ID / Application Number]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address]