Calculator  ·  College & Financial Aid

There's a gap. Here's the cheapest way to fill it.

Find what your aid doesn't cover, then walk the lowest-cost-first ladder to close it.

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By WealthDelay Editorial · Reviewed for accuracy on June 23, 2026 · ✓ Ladder ordered by cost, lowest first
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Quick Answer

What's the funding gap? Gap = Cost of Attendance − (grants + scholarships + what your family can pay). It's what's left to cover with work or loans. The cheapest-first way to close it: appeal → scholarships → work-study → federal student loans → Parent PLUS → private loans (last resort).

This ordering isn't an official rule — it reflects that gift aid beats loans, and federal loans generally cost less and carry more protections than private ones.

Your Numbers
Live
The Cost
What's Already Covered
Free money you don't repay — from the school, state, or outside scholarships
From savings, income, or a 529 — what you can realistically contribute
Your Annual Funding Gap
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calculating…
💡
What This Really Means
Adjust the sliders to see your personalized analysis.

The lowest-cost-first ladder to close the gap

  1. Appeal for more institutional aid. The cheapest dollar is one the school gives you. If your circumstances changed or you have a competing offer, ask — use the Appeal Letter Generator.
  2. Outside scholarships. Free money from foundations, employers, community groups, and your state. No repayment.
  3. Federal Work-Study (if offered in your award). A part-time job that helps cover costs without adding debt.
  4. Federal Direct Subsidized loans (need-based). The government covers interest while you're in school — the lowest-cost loan type. Annual limits apply — see studentaid.gov.
  5. Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans. Interest accrues from disbursement, but rates and protections are still better than most private loans.
  6. Parent PLUS loan. A federal loan in the parent's name — higher rate plus an origination fee. Model it with the Parent PLUS True Cost calculator before borrowing.
  7. Private student loans (last resort). Rates and terms vary by lender and credit; fewer protections than federal loans. Compare carefully.

Sources & Methodology

Methodology: Gap = cost of attendance − (grants/scholarships + family contribution), floored at $0. The ladder reflects the general principle that gift aid costs nothing, subsidized federal loans cost less than unsubsidized, and federal loans generally cost less and carry more protections than private loans. It is a common framework, not an official or guaranteed ranking, and exact federal loan limits and eligibility are determined by your school and studentaid.gov.

Common Questions

What is the college funding gap?
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The gap is the part of the total cost of attendance that your grants, scholarships, and what your family can pay don't cover. Gap = Cost of Attendance minus (grants + scholarships + family contribution). It's the amount you'd need to fill with work, additional aid, or loans.
What order should I cover the gap in?
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A common approach is lowest-cost first: appeal for more institutional aid, pursue outside scholarships, use Federal Work-Study if offered, then federal Direct Subsidized loans, then Direct Unsubsidized loans, then Parent PLUS, and private loans only as a last resort. This isn't an official ranking — it reflects that grants and subsidized aid cost less than loans, and federal loans generally cost less and carry more protections than private loans.
Are there limits on federal student loans?
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Yes. Federal Direct loan annual and aggregate limits apply and depend on the student's year in school and dependency status. Check the current limits at studentaid.gov, since they determine how much of the gap federal student loans can cover before you'd need Parent PLUS or private loans.

Related Tools

SAI DecoderAppeal Letter GeneratorParent PLUS True Cost529 College Savings
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. The funding ladder is a general framework, not an official or guaranteed order; federal loan eligibility and limits are set by your school and studentaid.gov. Verify all options before borrowing.