Financial Aid Offer Comparison Spreadsheet for College Award Letters, Google Sheets & Excel

Got college award letters and can't tell which school is actually cheaper? This spreadsheet turns confusing financial aid offers into one honest number: what each school really costs, every year and for the whole degree.

WHY IT MATTERS
Many award letters count loans as "aid" and subtract them from the bill. A loan isn't a discount. This sheet keeps free money (grants and scholarships) separate from work-study and loans, so you see the real price.

WHAT IT DOES
• Compare up to 4 schools side by side
• Net price per year: cost of attendance minus free money
• Accounts for scholarships that only last one year, so year 1 doesn't make the whole degree look cheaper
• Total cost for the whole degree, with a yearly cost increase you can change
• Estimated monthly loan payment after graduation, using the 2026-27 federal loan rates (6.52% for student loans, 9.07% for Parent PLUS), which you can update any year
• Highlights the lowest total cost
• A list of questions to ask each financial aid office, with space for their answers

DETAILS
• Product type: college cost calculator and financial aid comparison worksheet
• File type: editable .xlsx spreadsheet template
• Editability: fully editable in Google Sheets, Excel and Apple Numbers
• Budgeting frequency: per year and for the whole degree
• Intended audience: high school seniors, college students, transfer students and parents

WHAT YOU GET
• Financial Aid Offer Comparison spreadsheet (.xlsx) for Excel and Google Sheets
• A Start Here tab with simple instructions
• Two example schools filled in, so you can see how it works

BUILT TO BE EASY TO USE
• Large, clear text and high-contrast colors
• Yellow cells to type in. Everything else fills in by itself.

YOUR PRIVACY
No account and no sign-up. The file is yours, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.

PLEASE NOTE
• This is a digital download. Nothing will be shipped.
• Estimates only, not financial advice. Always confirm numbers with each school's financial aid office.
• For personal use by you and your family.
• Opens in Excel 2016 or newer, Microsoft 365, Google Sheets (free) and Apple Numbers.
• Something not working? Message me and I'll fix it or refund you.

This template was designed with the help of AI tools and tested and checked by me.

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