Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator is a tool to help you estimate the financial aid you might receive and the net price you might pay if you are admitted here and complete the financial aid application process. 

The “net price” is the difference between the total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, travel, books, and other supplies) and the scholarships and grants you receive.

First, you report values about yourself (GPA, ACT/SAT, etc.) and your family’s finances (number in the household, number in college, total income, assets, etc.). Then you will see a figure which is the average of scholarships and grants offered to students with an academic and financial “profile” similar to yours.

All applicants for need-based and merit-based aid are evaluated on an individual basis, so your eligibility may differ from the average amount shown.

The Net Price Calculator is not an official application for financial aid, nor is it an official award letter from the College. 

You should have your and your parents’ 2023 tax return, W-2(s) or last pay stub, and recent banking/investment account documents. You will also be asked a few questions about your academic qualifications, so if you don’t know them, get your GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and class rank (if your school ranks).

The “end result” is an estimate of what you will need to pay if you enroll at Lake Forest in the 2025-2026 academic year.

You will see figures for scholarships, grants and student loans.

Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid.  The amount shown includes federal, state, outside awards, and Lake Forest College need-based and merit-based aid.

Loans need to be repaid, usually  after you graduate. If you borrow, you must repay the amount borrowed, plus interest. See our loans page for details.

Since the Net Price Calculator is not an official financial aid application, you must follow the steps outlined here to receive an official award letter from Lake Forest. Then will you know your true costs, scholarships, grants, loans and your actual out-of-pocket cost.

The College can point you toward additional resources for you and your family, including outside scholarships, loans for parents or students, and monthly payment options, to help make your education affordable.

The Net Price Calculator does not take into account any “special circumstances” your family may have to report. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid (email or call 847-735-5010) for instructions on reporting them to our office. 

International students should contact the Admissions Office by email or call 847-735-5017 (first-year) or -5087 (transfer) for information about scholarships and grants available. General details are here. 

Undocumented students should contact their admissions counselor.