Quick guide
How to use this calculator
- Enter the balances, contributions, income, costs, ages, plan terms, and assumptions from the scenario you want to test.
- Keep currencies, periods, and nominal-versus-real rates consistent; compare more than one plausible scenario where outcomes are uncertain.
- Use the companion results and limits to understand funding gaps, timing trade-offs, and which assumptions drive the result.
Calculation method
Calculation method
Net price = cost of attendance − scholarships and grants; remaining family funding need = net price − family contribution.
Deterministic calculations use exact fixed-decimal arithmetic. The explicitly probabilistic success tool uses a reproducible seeded simulation and discloses its model.
Worked example
Worked example
A 40,000 cost of attendance with 12,000 grants has a 28,000 net price before family contributions or loans.
Net price = cost of attendance − scholarships and grants; remaining family funding need = net price − family contribution.
Supported inputs
Precision and limits
Planning scope
Net price subtracts scholarships and grants that do not need repayment. Loans are financing, not a reduction in price. Use the institution's own current cost and aid estimate; this calculator does not award aid or determine eligibility.
Payment timing conventions
Unless a timing selector says otherwise, recurring accumulation contributions are applied at month-end. Bridge withdrawals are valued at the beginning of each year. Pension lump-sum comparisons value pension payments at month-end. Withdrawal projections apply the return for a period before that period's withdrawal.
Return and inflation assumptions
Investment returns, inflation, education costs, earnings, healthcare costs, longevity, and plan outcomes are uncertain. Entered constant rates and simulated distributions are scenarios rather than forecasts.
No tax or statutory calculations
At the owner's direction, these calculators do not calculate tax, required distributions, government-benefit claiming, contribution limits, early-withdrawal penalties, education tax credits, or country-specific account rules.
Decision boundary
Results do not recommend a pension election, investment, withdrawal strategy, school, loan, retirement date, healthcare plan, or employment decision. Confirm plan terms and consequential choices with the relevant administrator or qualified professional.
Precision and privacy
Plain decimals accept up to 30 digits and 12 decimal places. Calculations remain in this browser and raw entered values are not submitted to 365CALCS.COM.
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