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Master Your College Budget Today

Take the guesswork out of choosing the right college. MyAidAwards lets you design and submit your own customized financial aid requests to multiple colleges — and get faster, clearer results in just 5 days. Make informed choices, gain insight into your costs, and make college more affordable.

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We focus on students and families who:

  • Are first-generation college-bound.
  • Face significant financial burdens.
  • Need clear, accurate cost info early.

MyAidAwards helps:

  • Show how much aid is free vs. repayable.
  • Highlight the GAP between aid and actual costs.
  • Provide information before admissions decisions.
  • Supply sample letters/emails for requesting more aid.
  • Confirm which colleges are truly affordable.

Our Tool Helps Students

  • Learn the real costs of attending college.
  • Understand what portion of aid is free vs. payable.
  • Review the expected GAP between offered aid and actual costs.
  • Avoid unnecessary debt.
  • Receive info earlier — before admission decisions.
  • Use recommended email and letter text to request more aid.
  • Know with confidence which schools fit your budget.
5 DAYS That's right. MyAidAwards delivers a customized college aid package in just 5 days.

How It Works

  1. Create your personalized aid request.
  2. Forward recommendations directly to colleges.
  3. Get responses in as little as 30 days.
  4. Compare offers side by side.
  5. Make smarter, faster, debt-avoiding decisions.
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100+ The MyAidAwards team brings together over 100 years of combined experience in financial aid, enrollment management, and technology.

Our Story & Vision

We’ve worked with thousands of students navigating the complex process of applying for and paying for college. Our experience has shown:

  • Families need estimated cost information early in the decision process.
  • Many don’t realize that certain types of aid are negotiable.
  • Too often, families accept debt they cannot support.

Our Commitment: Helping students achieve their goals without incurring insurmountable debt — and ensuring initial aid awards lead to sustainable aid throughout enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use MAA before I file for federal student aid? No. You must first file your FAFSA to receive your Student Aid Index (SAI). That number is essential for MAA to generate your personalized financial aid recommendation.
Can I use MAA before I apply for admission? Yes. You can use the MAA tool to see what your potential financial aid package might look like — even before applying. Many students use it to decide which colleges to add to their list.
Can I use MAA before I am accepted for admission? Yes. You can use MAA at any time after you file for federal student aid. The MAA recommendation helps you understand affordability early, even before acceptance.
I have my SAI number from one college. Can I use MAA for a different college I didn't list on my FAFSA? Yes. You can use your SAI number from any college to explore affordability through the MyAidAwards program.
Who cannot use the MAA tool? MAA is currently only for full-time, first-year undergraduate students. Part-time students, graduate students, international students, and independent students are not eligible.
What are the advantages of sending my recommendation directly to my college or university? It saves you time. Sending it directly to the university speeds up the review and awarding process, reducing delays and keeping your admissions and financial aid timelines aligned.
Can I make changes to my MAA recommendation before sending it? Yes. If you choose to send your recommendation yourself, you can adjust the information or make edits before submitting it.
Can I copy others at my college or university when sending my recommendation? Yes. You can forward your copy of the recommendation to any university staff member who may support your request.
What does “timing advantage” mean when using MAA? The federal aid process can take up to 150 days. By using MAA, colleges can give you an early look at your affordability—so you can focus the rest of the process of determining which college is an excellent fit for you.
Why does MAA use Direct Cost packaging instead of Cost of Attendance? MAA focuses on the actual bill you’ll receive (tuition, fees, room, and board). This approach directly addresses what most families care about — the real out-of-pocket costs they’ll need to pay.
Do I have to deposit after I receive my MAA recommendation? No. If you decide that the recommended award works for you, the Admissions Office will then invite you to make a deposit to confirm your spot.
If I like my MAA-recommended award, how long do I have to finish my application and paperwork? You’ll have 30 days from the date you receive your MAA recommendation to complete your admissions application and all required materials.
If I don’t enroll in Fall 2026, can I still use the same recommendation later? Yes. Your MAA award recommendation remains valid for one full year and can be applied to the next available term.
Can I request an appeal after sending my MAA recommendation? Yes. You may always request an appeal if new financial information or family circumstances arise.
Can I ask for a second opinion from a college or university by using MAA? Yes. MAA can provide a fresh look at your aid options anytime, even after receiving an initial award.
Can I use my MAA offer to negotiate with other colleges? Yes. You are encouraged to use your MAA recommendation to understand affordability and compare offers across your chosen colleges.
What happens after I accept the MAA recommendation? Once you accept, your college or university will finalize your aid package and admissions status. You’ll receive confirmation from the Admissions Office about your next steps, including deposit details and orientation information.

Don’t spend a penny more than you have to on your education. Try MyAidAwards.

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