First, gather the materials you will need:

• The award letters for all the colleges you are considering, along with any accompanying materials.
• The viewbook or other application/admission materials for these colleges. (If the award letter does not contain complete information about college costs, you can often find it in the viewbook or other application/admission materials.)

Read through each award letter carefully.

Circle or highlight each of the aid types and amounts you've been offered. It's important to realize that each of the award letters will probably present the aid offer differently. Some may list each aid type and amount in columns. Others may list some or all of the aid types in narrative paragraphs.

Click on the links in the left column.

Before you enter data into the comparison tool, click on the links. They provide important information and advice about each of the cost and aid fields, and will help you better understand your aid offers.

Ask for help.

If you're having trouble understanding your award letters, call the aid office or talk to your high school counselor.

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