<p>I just found this information. It may be useful to students currently searching for colleges and want to learn about how much it might cost.</p>
<p>According to this, it should be in place on college websites by the end of October:</p>
<p>Higher</a> Education Opportunity Act - 2008</p>
<p>If anyone has more information about this, it might be helpful to post.</p>
<p>Yes - while many colleges will have these on their websites, a growing number are using the College Board’s consolidated site:
[Participating</a> Schools Using College Board’s Net Price Calculator](<a href=“Net Price Calculator (NPC) - Education Professionals”>Net Price Calculator (NPC) - Education Professionals)</p>
<p>It allows a student or parent to enter financial information and save it, then compare the net price at many colleges. The list of participating schools is growing every day as it gets closer to October.</p>
<p>dukedad, that is interesting. Eventually, that should be very useful. I guess that at the end of October there will be many more participating schools than are listed now.</p>
<p>This tool is one of the best innovations in financial aid. My son’s university has had theirs up for a few months. I was able to plug in the current year info and compare the calculator results to the actual package we rcvd - very similar. This gives me a lot of relief in knowing that I can use this calculator to predict next year’s pkg with some degree of accuracy. Wish this had been developed a few years ago!</p>
<p>Going through the application process with younger son - 2 of the schools he is applying to have their own calculators on their websites - the rest don’t as of yet - but hopefully will in the next few months. Think of the problems this will solve - waiting until April to compare FA packages - not applying ED because of the need to see an accurate FA pkg, etc. Not expecting perfection - but this should really save a lot of stress.</p>
<p>RVM, I agree and wish this had been available when our sons were applying. I would not count on this for ED as a parent, until there is a track record. JMO.</p>
<p>I agree not to count on it completely - but maybe the calculator plus a conversation with the FA office? It just seems unfortunate to me that a student who would like the admissions boost provided by applying ED - assuming this is clearly their first choice school - is basically unable to do so if they need FA. The introduction of these calculators might make the ED/FA combination palatable for more families.</p>
<p>These are averages. You may receive more or less aid than what the calculator calculates. What you choose to do with the info is your business … but be aware that it is NOT any kind of promise of what you will receive in aid.</p>
<p>Thanks for reiterating that - I just find it so much better than what we had before - which was basically nothing. For the past 3 years I have worried so much about my son’s FA - being on absolute pins and needles every spring until getting the award letter in June. Now that I can see the calculator and award letter match up fairly well - it gives me some peace of mind. I understand it is not binding or a promise - but it seems to put us in the ballpark - at least that has been my experience at my son’s university - and that really helps reduce my stress.</p>
<p>The College Navigator tool from ED shows net price and a lot more for every school…I’ve always thought this was a very handy site, but seldom see it mentioned:</p>
<p>[College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics)</p>
<p>I have seen this before - but unless I am missing something - this does not give you a net price tailored to your individual EFC. The new net price calculators allow more customization - you put in your EFC - maybe your gross income - family size - and get an estimated FA package that is tailored to your numbers. Still an estimate - but a customized estimate.</p>
<p>Hi there, I’m a newspaper reporter in California. For a story I’m writing about the new Net Price Calculators, I’m interested in speaking with parents or students who are using them. I’d like to know if you’re finding this tool helpful Please get in touch with me by emailing lrosenhall (at) sacbee.com as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>