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Nine quick questions. One honest answer.

Tell us about the offer in front of you and the student it's for. We'll check it against what graduates of that exact program actually earn — federal records, plain words. Dotted words anywhere can be tapped for a plain-English explanation.

1. Which college is the offer letter from? start typing — abbreviations like USC, OSU, or CSUSM work

2. What will they study? the major matters more than the school — pick the exact program 3. Yearly scholarships and grants from the college the free money on the award letter — NOT loans. Leave blank if none yet. 4. Yearly government grants you expect Pell Grant, state grants — again, free money only, not loans. Blank = none. 5. Cash your family will put in per year 529 plans, savings, help from relatives. This reduces borrowing — and later we can show what this money would do invested instead. 6. What state does the student live in? sets in-state vs out-of-state pricing at public schools, and the local wages we compare against 7. How old is the student? 8. If they skipped college, what could they earn per year right now? only if they're working or have a real offer — otherwise leave blank and we'll use what's typical for their age and education. Benefits that continue either way (like a pension) don't count. 9. Their education so far

Comparing offers from several schools? Side-by-side comparison. Just stress-testing a loan amount? Quick loan verdict.