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Cost Estimator

Additional Information

• Parent Contribution Estimator
• Student Contribution Guidelines

To assist you in estimating your family's contribution (cost) for the 2008-2009 academic year, we have developed a parent contribution calculator and student contribution guidelines. As indicated in the Determining Need section of this web site, the formula for determining a family's eligibility for aid is as follows:

STUDENT BUDGET
- (PARENT CONTRIBUTION + STUDENT CONTRIBUTION = FAMILY CONTRIBUTION)
= FINANCIAL NEED

These pages will allow you to estimate the Parent Contribution and to calculate an estimated Student Contribution.

Please Note

This section will not provide an estimated financial aid award. Due to the enormous variation in the expenses associated with attendance, this section will not provide an estimated student budget. The direct costs associated with attending Dartmouth in 2009-2010 are $49,974. The total standard cost of attendance used for first year students in 2009-2010 is $52,973. (This figure adds on a small amount for books, supplies and miscellaneous costs. Actual costs will be determined individually and will be shown on the financial aid award letter.)

Please be advised that this calculator is for estimating the parent contribution under the Institutional Methodology (IM) only. If the parent contribution is higher under Federal Methodology (FM), as determined by the FAFSA Application, then Dartmouth must use the higher calculated FM figure. An estimate of the FM figure can be obtained by using the calculator on the College Board's web site or by using FAFSA4caster.

The estimator is meant to be used as a tool for prospective students. It will not provide returning students with an accurate estimate of their parental contribution.