Determining Financial Need

Net Price Calculator

The Net Price Calculator was developed by the U.S. Department of Education. It takes the amount of historical federal and institutional aid a student received at the Conservatory based on the family's income and uses it to estimate the amount of aid you may receive based on your family's income.   

Please Note: If the FAFSA has been filled out by March 1, Boston Conservatory at Berklee will take the family's financial need into consideration when awarding scholarship aid. However, the primary consideration will be the merit of the audition.

Launch the Net Price Calculator

Financial Aid Determination

General Financial Need Equation: Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
  • Cost of Attendance (COA) is determined by the Conservatory and includes direct costs such as tuition and fees, room and board (if on campus), and estimated costs such as books, supplies, room and board (if off campus), transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. The estimated costs are determined using a student survey taken every two years.
  • Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on the financial information from your FAFSA. The department compares your income and assets against standard cost-of-living allowances for the number of people and number of college students in your household.
  • Financial Need is defined as the difference between your Cost of Attendance, as determined by the Conservatory, and your Expected Family Contribution, as determined by the FAFSA. Your level of need determines the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive.

Students may receive financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans and work study) up to their Cost of Attendance, but not over it.