The college financial aid award letter contains important information about the financial aid package being offered. Students often apply to multiple colleges, so it is essential to review and compare financial aid awards carefully before making a final decision.
Award letters typically include the cost of attendance (COA) and the types of financial aid being offered -- usually a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. Each college may use its own format and terminology, so it can be challenging to compare “apples to apples.”