Skip to main content

College Funding Forecaster

Your forecast for estimated total cost of attendance, financial aid and other funding at is based on the information on the previous screen.

Your Total Forecasted Student Loan Debt includes estimated federal and institutional loans plus private education loans to cover the estimated Funding Gap.

Forecasted Student Debt

Compare forecasted student debt based on the years it takes to earn a bachelor's degree. Taking more than four years to graduate increases estimated costs.

Comparing forecasted student debt based on the years it takes to graduate.
  Four Years Five Years Six Years
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
Total Estimated Funding from Financial Aid, Earnings and Savings
Estimated Funding Gap $0 $0 $0
Accepted Federal and Institutional Loans
Total Estimated Forecasted Student Loan Debt $0 $0 $0

Important

You may choose to reduce your forecasted student loan debt amount by increasing earnings, reducing spending or finding additional funds that are not loans.

Forecasted Student Debt Per Year

If your funding gap is $0 or less, you have enough funding and you may want to decline some or all of the federal institutional loans offered to you to reduce your forecasted student loan debt.

First Year



$0





$0


$0
Second Year



$0





$0


$0
Third Year



$0





$0


$0
Fourth Year



$0





$0


$0
Fifth Year



$0





$0


$0
Sixth Year



$0





$0


$0

Reduce Your Funding Gap

A funding gap does not necessarily mean is out of reach. You may be able to reduce your expenses or increase the amount you can contribute toward expenses before taking out loans.

  1. Review these tips (PDF) for reducing your need to borrow.
  2. Consider how you can spend less on housing, meals, transportation and other costs.
  3. Determine whether you can earn additional income to offset more expenses.
  4. Start College Funding Forecaster again and use your adjusted numbers.

Additional strategies to consider:

  • Plan courses to graduate on time or early.
  • Reduce your expenses.
  • Increase your earnings.
  • Consider lower-interest private education loans.
  • Attend a less-expensive institution.

Any loans that you use to pay for college expenses will need to be repaid with interest. Your ability to repay debt later will depend on your financial situation after you leave college. If your Total Forecasted Student Debt is greater than your anticipated first year's salary, consider how to lower your overall debt level.

If you must borrow to cover your funding gap, consider private education loan options for students and families from ISL Education Lending.