MapTheCost.

Three letters, decoded

These are made-up award letters in real patterns. The numbers below come from tested code, not from a model guessing. Every line shows where on the letter it came from.

Demo built 2026-11-07 from the synthetic letters in the repo. Real letters are never shown here.

Side by side

CollegeA year costsGiftsYou cover, year oneFour yearsWhat the letter said
State University (synthetic) $16,350* $15,875 $475 $5,930 not stated
Riverbend Community College (synthetic)
some numbers still being checked		 $21,160* $10,395 $10,765 $51,275 $0
College B (synthetic)
some numbers still being checked		 $69,400* $31,000 $38,400 $170,705 $6,000

* This letter leaves out some costs, so the real number is higher.

College B (synthetic) 2027-28

What a year costs$69,400
Gifts (grants and scholarships)− $31,000
What your family covers$38,400 a year

The letter said you would pay $6,000. That only works if you borrow $29,900 and your student earns $2,500 at a job. The real gap is $38,400.

The letter leaves out books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses. Real cost is higher than shown. We will fill the gaps from the college's published figures and mark them as estimates.

1 number on this letter is marked for a person to check before you rely on it. It is shown with a dotted line.

Every line on the letter, in three words

What the letter calls itAmountWhere it says so
Presidential Scholarship
Gift. You never pay this back.
Keeps coming only if: Maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA.		 $22,000 Presidential Scholarship $22,000
College B Grant
Gift. You never pay this back.
The letter does not say whether this renews. Ask the college in writing.		 $9,000 College B Grant $9,000
Federal Direct Student Loan
Loan. Must be paid back with interest.		 $5,500 Federal Direct Student Loan $5,500
Federal Work-Study
Job. Earned by working, not taken off the bill.		 $2,500 Federal Work-Study $2,500
Parent PLUS Loan (estimated eligibility)
Loan. Must be paid back with interest.
This is money the parent borrows. The letter counts it as aid; we do not.		 $24,400 Parent PLUS Loan $24,400

Four years, not one

You cover
Year 1$38,400
Year 2$41,176
Year 3$44,063
Year 4$47,066
Four-year total$170,705
  • Cost of attendance on this letter is incomplete; the projection understates real cost until the missing categories are filled in.
  • "Presidential Scholarship" is renewable only if conditions are met: Maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA.
  • "College B Grant" does not say whether it renews. Ask the college in writing.

If you borrow

The student can borrow up to $5,500 in federal Direct Loans in year one, about $62 a month after graduation on a ten-year plan. A parent can borrow up to $20,000 this year in Parent PLUS, about $253 a month to cover this year's gap. Even with both at the maximum, $12,900 a year is not covered by federal loans.

  • Federal rates/fees for 2027-28 are not yet verified against the official announcement.
  • Federal loans cannot close the full gap. $12,900 per year remains after the maximum Direct Loan and Parent PLUS under the caps.

Things to know

  • Books and supplies are not listed. Budget roughly $1,000–$1,500 a year until the college gives a number.
  • Travel and personal expenses are not listed. They are real costs even though the college doesn't bill them.
  • The letter doesn't clearly say whether "College B Grant" renews, or on what conditions. Get it in writing.
  • "Federal Direct Student Loan" is a loan, not a gift. It must be repaid with interest.
  • "Federal Work-Study" is a job offer, not money in hand. The student earns it by working during the year, and it won't be on the bill.
  • "Parent PLUS Loan (estimated eligibility)" is a Parent PLUS loan listed as if it were aid. It is money you borrow and repay with interest, and the college has not checked whether you can afford it.
  • The letter says you'll pay $6,000, but cost minus gift aid is $38,400. The difference is usually loans or work-study counted as if they lowered the price.

Follow through, from the deadline to the first day

ByWhatWho
2027-04-17Send any appeal and competing offers
Aid offices need time to answer before the deadline. Two weeks is the floor.		parent
2027-04-28Decide, and confirm the final award in writing
Make sure any appeal result is in the award portal, not just in an email.		both
2027-05-01Pay the enrollment deposit and accept or decline each aid line
The deposit holds the seat. Accept gifts; accept loans only in the amount you planned.		both
2027-05-08Apply for housing and the meal plan you budgeted
Housing deadlines often fall right after the deposit, and late means waitlist.		student
2027-05-31Check the aid portal for 'verification' or 'documents needed'
About one in five families is picked to prove FAFSA numbers. Aid does not pay out until it is done.		parent
2027-06-15Student signs the Master Promissory Note and finishes entrance counseling at studentaid.gov
Federal loans do not disburse without both. Thirty minutes online.		student
2027-06-15Parent completes the Parent PLUS application and MPN, only for the amount in the plan
The college may list more than you need. Borrow the plan, not the maximum.		parent
2027-07-20Read the first bill line by line against this page
The bill, not the award letter, is the real price. Anything new gets a call to the bursar.		parent
2027-07-29Student looks for a work-study job on the campus job board
Work-study is a job offer; the money comes only after hours worked. Jobs go fast in August.		student
2027-08-05Write down the renewal conditions for every scholarship and put a reminder for the end of each term
A grade requirement missed in year one is the most common way aid disappears.		both
2027-08-09Set up the payment plan for the part you pay in cash
Most colleges split the term bill into monthly payments for a small fee. Cheaper than any loan.		parent
2027-08-19First day of class
Done. Put a note in the calendar for October: FAFSA opens again for next year.		both

Riverbend Community College (synthetic) 2027-28

What a year costs$21,160
Gifts (grants and scholarships)− $10,395
What your family covers$10,765 a year

The letter said you would pay $0. That only works if you borrow $5,500. The real gap is $10,765.

The letter leaves out fees, food. Real cost is higher than shown. We will fill the gaps from the college's published figures and mark them as estimates.

1 number on this letter is marked for a person to check before you rely on it. It is shown with a dotted line.

Every line on the letter, in three words

What the letter calls itAmountWhere it says so
Federal Pell Grant
Gift. You never pay this back.
Keeps coming only if: Based on full-time enrollment; reduced for fewer credits.		 $7,395 Federal Pell Grant $7,395
Illinois MAP Grant
Gift. You never pay this back.
The letter does not say whether this renews. Ask the college in writing.		 $2,000 Illinois MAP Grant $2,000
Riverbend Foundation Scholarship (first year only)
Gift. You never pay this back.
First year only. Plan for it to be gone in year two.		 $1,000 Riverbend Foundation Scholarship (first year only) $1,000
Federal Direct Loan (unsubsidized)
Loan. Must be paid back with interest.		 $5,500 Federal Direct Loan (unsubsidized) $5,500

Four years, not one

You cover
Year 1$10,765
Year 2$12,611Gone: Riverbend Foundation Scholarship (first year only)
Year 3$13,492Gone: Riverbend Foundation Scholarship (first year only)
Year 4$14,407Gone: Riverbend Foundation Scholarship (first year only)
Four-year total$51,275
  • Cost of attendance on this letter is incomplete; the projection understates real cost until the missing categories are filled in.
  • "Federal Pell Grant" is renewable only if conditions are met: Based on full-time enrollment; reduced for fewer credits.
  • "Illinois MAP Grant" does not say whether it renews. Ask the college in writing.

If you borrow

The student can borrow up to $5,500 in federal Direct Loans in year one, about $62 a month after graduation on a ten-year plan. A parent can borrow up to $5,265 this year in Parent PLUS, about $67 a month to cover this year's gap.

  • Federal rates/fees for 2027-28 are not yet verified against the official announcement.

Things to know

  • The $5,500 Federal Direct Loan is listed under awards and counted in the total. It must be paid back with interest.
  • The Foundation Scholarship is for the first year only. Year two costs $1,000 more.
  • The $0 balance is only the bill to the college. Living, books and travel (about $16,600) are still real costs; the refund is mostly borrowed money.
  • The letter leaves out housing or food. Those are usually the second-biggest cost after tuition.
  • The letter doesn't clearly say whether "Illinois MAP Grant" renews, or on what conditions. Get it in writing.

Follow through, from the deadline to the first day

ByWhatWho
2027-05-18Send any appeal and competing offers
Aid offices need time to answer before the deadline. Two weeks is the floor.		parent
2027-05-29Decide, and confirm the final award in writing
Make sure any appeal result is in the award portal, not just in an email.		both
2027-06-01Pay the enrollment deposit and accept or decline each aid line
The deposit holds the seat. Accept gifts; accept loans only in the amount you planned.		both
2027-06-08Apply for housing and the meal plan you budgeted
Housing deadlines often fall right after the deposit, and late means waitlist.		student
2027-07-01Check the aid portal for 'verification' or 'documents needed'
About one in five families is picked to prove FAFSA numbers. Aid does not pay out until it is done.		parent
2027-07-16Student signs the Master Promissory Note and finishes entrance counseling at studentaid.gov
Federal loans do not disburse without both. Thirty minutes online.		student
2027-07-16Parent completes the Parent PLUS application and MPN, only for the amount in the plan
The college may list more than you need. Borrow the plan, not the maximum.		parent
2027-08-20Read the first bill line by line against this page
The bill, not the award letter, is the real price. Anything new gets a call to the bursar.		parent
2027-09-05Write down the renewal conditions for every scholarship and put a reminder for the end of each term
A grade requirement missed in year one is the most common way aid disappears.		both
2027-09-09Set up the payment plan for the part you pay in cash
Most colleges split the term bill into monthly payments for a small fee. Cheaper than any loan.		parent
2027-09-19First day of class
Done. Put a note in the calendar for October: FAFSA opens again for next year.		both

State University (synthetic) 2027-28

What a year costs$16,350
Gifts (grants and scholarships)− $15,875
What your family covers$475 a year

The letter never says what you will pay. Here it is: $475 a year before loans and work.

The letter leaves out housing, food, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses. Real cost is higher than shown. We will fill the gaps from the college's published figures and mark them as estimates.

Every line on the letter, in three words

What the letter calls itAmountWhere it says so
Federal Pell Grant
Gift. You never pay this back.
Keeps coming only if: Based on full-time enrollment and FAFSA eligibility each year.		 $7,395 Federal Pell Grant $3,698 $3,697 $7,395
IL Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant
Gift. You never pay this back.
Keeps coming only if: Subject to state appropriation; may be reduced if funding is insufficient.		 $8,480 IL Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant $4,240 $4,240 $8,480
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Loan. Must be paid back with interest.		 $3,500 Federal Direct Subsidized Loan $1,750 $1,750 $3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Loan. Must be paid back with interest.		 $2,000 Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan $1,000 $1,000 $2,000
Federal Work-Study
Job. Earned by working, not taken off the bill.		 $3,000 Federal Work-Study $1,500 $1,500 $3,000

Four years, not one

You cover
Year 1$475
Year 2$1,129
Year 3$1,809
Year 4$2,517
Four-year total$5,930
  • Cost of attendance on this letter is incomplete; the projection understates real cost until the missing categories are filled in.
  • "Federal Pell Grant" is renewable only if conditions are met: Based on full-time enrollment and FAFSA eligibility each year.
  • "IL Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant" is renewable only if conditions are met: Subject to state appropriation; may be reduced if funding is insufficient.

If you borrow

The student can borrow up to $5,500 in federal Direct Loans in year one, about $62 a month after graduation on a ten-year plan. A parent can borrow up to $0 this year in Parent PLUS.

  • Federal rates/fees for 2027-28 are not yet verified against the official announcement.

Things to know

  • The letter leaves out books and supplies. Plan on about $1,200 to $1,500 a year on top of what is shown.
  • The letter leaves out transportation and personal costs. They are real money every month.
  • The letter never says what you will pay. Total aid is bigger than billed costs only because loans and a job are counted as aid.
  • Two federal loans are listed under awards. They must be paid back with interest.
  • Work-Study is a job offer, not money in hand. It is paid as wages and does not reduce the bill.
  • The letter leaves out housing or food. Those are usually the second-biggest cost after tuition.

Follow through, from the deadline to the first day

ByWhatWho
2027-04-17Send any appeal and competing offers
Aid offices need time to answer before the deadline. Two weeks is the floor.		parent
2027-04-28Decide, and confirm the final award in writing
Make sure any appeal result is in the award portal, not just in an email.		both
2027-05-01Pay the enrollment deposit and accept or decline each aid line
The deposit holds the seat. Accept gifts; accept loans only in the amount you planned.		both
2027-05-08Apply for housing and the meal plan you budgeted
Housing deadlines often fall right after the deposit, and late means waitlist.		student
2027-05-31Check the aid portal for 'verification' or 'documents needed'
About one in five families is picked to prove FAFSA numbers. Aid does not pay out until it is done.		parent
2027-06-15Student signs the Master Promissory Note and finishes entrance counseling at studentaid.gov
Federal loans do not disburse without both. Thirty minutes online.		student
2027-06-15Parent completes the Parent PLUS application and MPN, only for the amount in the plan
The college may list more than you need. Borrow the plan, not the maximum.		parent
2027-07-20Read the first bill line by line against this page
The bill, not the award letter, is the real price. Anything new gets a call to the bursar.		parent
2027-07-29Student looks for a work-study job on the campus job board
Work-study is a job offer; the money comes only after hours worked. Jobs go fast in August.		student
2027-08-05Write down the renewal conditions for every scholarship and put a reminder for the end of each term
A grade requirement missed in year one is the most common way aid disappears.		both
2027-08-09Set up the payment plan for the part you pay in cash
Most colleges split the term bill into monthly payments for a small fee. Cheaper than any loan.		parent
2027-08-19First day of class
Done. Put a note in the calendar for October: FAFSA opens again for next year.		both

Asking College B for more

Made-up family: income dropped this year, and a comparable college offered $7,000 more in gifts. The family can pay $15,000 a year. Here is what the scoring says and the first draft a parent would read, change, and send from their own email.

Should they appeal? score 100 of 100, YES

  • A documented change in finances is the strongest ground. You have 1: our household income has dropped since the FAFSA year.
  • Income drops and household changes are the cases aid offices see most and have a process for.
  • College C (synthetic) offered $7,000 more in gift aid. Private colleges that discount often close part of a gap like this to enroll a student they admitted.
  • Telling the college it is the first choice, when true, raises the odds. Colleges fund students who will come.

Ask for: $23,000 a year. Gather: Your most recent federal tax return; Most recent pay stubs; Termination or reduced-hours letter from the employer; Unemployment benefit statement if any; The other college's award letter, full copy.

First draft

Subject: Request for financial aid review: Sofia [last name], admitted for 2027-28

Dear Financial Aid Office,

Thank you for admitting Sofia to College B (synthetic) and for the financial aid offer dated [date on the letter]. College B (synthetic) is Sofia's first choice, and we want to make it work.

After grants and scholarships, the offer leaves $38,400 a year for our family to cover. We can pay $15,000 a year. The difference is $23,400.

I am writing to ask for a professional judgment review because our household income has dropped since the FAFSA year. [facts about: our household income has dropped since the FAFSA year, with dates and dollar amounts] I have attached: Your most recent federal tax return; Most recent pay stubs; Termination or reduced-hours letter from the employer; Unemployment benefit statement if any; The other college's award letter, full copy.

Sofia also received an offer from College C (synthetic), a college we consider comparable, with $38,000 a year in grants and scholarships, $7,000 more than College B (synthetic)'s offer. I have attached that letter. We would much rather Sofia attend College B (synthetic) if the cost can come closer.

Would you consider increasing Sofia's grant or scholarship aid by $23,000 a year? That would let us say yes before the 2027-05-01 deadline. If there is a form or any other document you need, I will send it the same day.

Thank you for your time and for the work you do for families.

Sincerely,
Maria Alvarez
[phone]
[email]
Parent of Sofia [student ID if the college uses one]

Blanks the parent fills before sending: [date on the letter], [facts about: our household income has dropped since the FAFSA year, with dates and dollar amounts], [phone], [email], [student ID if the college uses one], [last name]. The financial aid office email printed on the award letter. Send from the parent's own email. Attach the documents listed.