Financial aid offer letters are supposed to tell families how much they will have to pay for college, which can be the deciding factor in determining where — or even if — students will go to college. But too often, letters omit important information and use language that makes it difficult to determine the final cost.
Some student advocates say the letters are downright misleading. Others think the lack of consistent language is confusing; each college has its own format with its own vocabulary. So it can be difficult to answer the crucial question: how much will this cost me?
For more than a decade, college access groups have been pushing for a bill in Congress that would require all colleges to use the same standard, clearly labeled form — much like nutrition labels on foods — so families can accurately compare offerings. But academic associations and others worked to block it.
Below are several offer letters received last year, with names redacted to protect student privacy. By scrolling down, you can see the letters and see what you find confusing.
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