One of the interesting differences between the net price calculators being used by colleges is whether or not the calculator asks for the student’s academic information. More specifically, does the calculator request the student’s grade point average and composite ACT and/or SAT score?

 Normally, when a calculator requests academic information, the college will include merit scholarship opportunities and deduct the amount offered before the net price is presented. This begs the question: if a college’s calculator does not request academic information does this mean that merit scholarships are not available?

 Usually one can surmise if completing a calculator established by the College Board, if the academic questions are not asked, then it may very well mean that no merit scholarships (based on academics) are available from that college. This is often the case with the highly selective private colleges and the flagship state schools who may also require the CSS Profile as a supplement to FAFSA. However, if the college is using the Department of Education calculator, one should not assume that merit money is unavailable. There are a number of non-flagship state schools that are demonstrating a net price that indeed could be lower when they add in the merit award.

If you are following the Financial Fit College Search method, before you eliminate a category from consideration, I would suggest you calculate the net prices of more than one college in that category. If your son or daughter demonstrates merit money with calculators used by private colleges or mid-size privates, I would personally inquire about those same types of scholarships at the non-flagship state schools before I assumed that none were available.

 Remember the primary principles of the Financial Aid College Search method:

        Start by calculating your personal affordability range (myfinancialfit.com)

        Using the net price comparison chart (at myfinancialfit.com) assess the net price of at least one college in each of the 7 categories presented

        If you cannot find a match (a financial fit), examine 2 other categories; the commuter option and/or the community college option (website videos)

        If you do find categorical fit options, assess these schools based on your other fit parameters – academic fit, cultural fit, social fit, etc.