Understanding Your College Costs: A Guide to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign‘s Net Price Calculator
Navigating the cost of higher education can be daunting. The university of illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Office of Student Financial Aid offers a valuable tool to help prospective students estimate their potential financial aid package: the Net Price Calculator. This resource provides a personalized estimate of college costs after factoring in potential financial aid, allowing students and families to plan accordingly.
Who Can Use this Tool?
It’s notable to understand eligibility. Most federal and state financial aid programs, including those offered by Illinois, require U.S. citizenship,U.S. national status (including residents of American Samoa or Swain’s Island), or permanent residency. Therefore, the Net Price Calculator is designed for use by these students.International students are not eligible for federal or state of Illinois financial aid and should consult the dedicated resources available to them at https://osfa.illinois.edu/types-of-aid/international-students.
Important Distinction: Estimator vs. Submission
The Net Price Calculator is not a financial aid application. It’s a preliminary estimator.To formally apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. If you’ve already submitted your 2025-2026 FAFSA, utilizing your Student Aid Index (SAI) within the Net Price Calculator will provide a more accurate estimate.
What to Expect from the Estimate
The financial aid estimates generated by the calculator are based on full-time undergraduate enrollment. It’s crucial to note that the estimate does not include potential merit-based scholarships awarded by the university, nor does it account for private scholarships obtained from external sources. Additionally, students eligible for federal or state military benefits may experience aid adjustments not reflected in the calculator’s results.
Privacy and Disclaimer
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign does not store any of the information you provide or the results you receive from the Net Price calculator. For your records, you should print the results if desired.
Crucially, the estimate provided is for informational purposes only. It is not a guarantee of financial assistance, a final determination of aid eligibility, or a binding offer. The estimate is not legally binding on the Secretary of Education, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, or the State of Illinois.
This tool is a starting point for financial planning, and students are encouraged to explore all available resources through the Office of Student Financial Aid to understand their options fully.
