Planning Tools & Calculators
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It is never too early to start planning for college. Saving money, learning about financial aid, and budgeting for your life as a student are all part of the process. This page lists some tools and sources of information that you might find helpful before, during, and after you go to college.
Planning for College
TopGeneral Resources
- StudentAid.gov (U.S. Dept. of Education)
- College Preparation Checklist (U.S. Department of Education)
- GradSense: An online financial literacy platform for graduate and professional students sponsored by the Council of Graduate Schools.
- How to Start Saving for College (College Board)
Applying for Financial Aid
TopLearn how the Free Application for Federal Student Aid offers access to grants, federally subsidized loans, and Work-Study jobs.
Estimating Your Financial Aid
Top- U-M Net Price Calculator (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
Comparing Financial Aid Offers
Top- Financial Aid Comparison Sheet (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
- Compare Your Awards Tool (College Board)
- Financial Aid Comparison Shopper (U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
- Consumer Information (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
Planning for Student Life
TopBudgeting and Financial Planning
- Your Money Your Life (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
Estimating your University of Michigan Bill
- Go to Wolverine Access > Campus Finances > Financial Planning Calculator > Calculate Estimated Bill
Once at the site, answer a few questions and select "Calculate Estimated Bill" to see what your bill will be for the upcoming term. The bill estimator is not available for the spring and/or summer terms.
Credit Cards, Tax Credits, and Money Management
- Planning to Pay for College: How to Start Thinking About College Costs (College Board)
- Tax Benefits for Education (Internal Revenue Service)
- Identity Theft Website (Federal Trade Commission)
- Protect Your Identity (U-M Information and Technology Services)
Managing Your Student Loans
TopEstimating your Loan Eligibility
Wolverine Access > Campus Finances > Financial Planning Calculator > Calculate Private/PLUS Loan Eligibility
Select Calculate Private/PLUS Loan Eligibility to see how much you would be able to borrow through a private loan program or through the federal PLUS Loan program. (This calculator is not available for the spring and/or summer terms.) Parents who have been authorized to see their student's account information will also be able to use these calculators. (Get information on how to authorize a Friend Account.)
Repayment Options
- Repayment Plans and Calculators (U.S. Department of Education)
- Repaying Loans (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
- Loan Limits and Calculators (U-M Office of Financial Aid)
Estimating your Monthly Loan Payments
- Financial Awareness Counseling Tool (U.S. Department of Education)
- Student Loan Calculator (College Board)
- Parent Loan Repayment Calculator (College Board)