Understanding college costs can be overwhelming for families, especially when the numbers provided by schools don’t seem to add up. Recently, we worked with a family applying to Duke University, who ran into a significant issue with Duke’s Net Price Calculator (NPC). The NPC projected a cost of over $50,000 per year, while our MyCAP tool projected a much lower cost—about $10,000. Confused and discouraged, the family reached out to us, initially thinking our software must have been wrong.
After spending considerable time investigating and communicating with Duke’s financial aid office, we uncovered a mistake in their NPC that was inflating the cost for this family. Thanks to Duke’s swift and thoughtful response, the issue was resolved, saving the family from making an unnecessary and costly decision.
This story is a perfect example of why we created MyCAP: to help families feel more confident about college costs and provide accurate, up-to-date projections in one convenient place.
The Family’s Dilemma: Conflicting Cost Estimates
The family had been using our MyCAP software to run the numbers for Duke University. Based on Duke’s financial aid policies, our tool projected their net cost at around $10,000 per year—an amount the family could afford. However, Duke’s NPC gave them a much different picture, projecting the cost at over $50,000 per year. Naturally, the family was alarmed and assumed that our MyCAP software must have been wrong.
They reached out to us, confused and frustrated, wanting to know why the numbers didn’t match. At first, they thought Duke’s NPC must be more accurate because, after all, it was the school’s own tool. But we knew something was off and set out to investigate.
Why Schools’ NPCs Aren’t Always Reliable
While all colleges are required to have a Net Price Calculator on their website, there are no rules about how accurate those calculators must be. In some cases, colleges use outdated or incomplete information, which can lead to wildly inaccurate cost projections.
In this particular case, we knew that Duke has a policy to limit how much home equity is considered for low-income families when calculating financial aid. Our MyCAP tool accounted for this, which is why we projected the family’s cost to be $10,000. But Duke’s NPC wasn’t reflecting this policy, resulting in the inflated estimate of $50,000.
Unfortunately, this situation is not uncommon. Colleges don’t always update their NPCs frequently enough, and families often take these estimates at face value. The problem is that these inaccurate projections can lead to families making major decisions—like withdrawing an Early Decision application—without having the right information. This is why it’s so important to double-check the numbers and use tools that are constantly updated, like MyCAP.
The Reality: Getting to the Bottom of the Issue Takes Time
What many families don’t realize is that getting to the bottom of a discrepancy like this takes a lot of time and persistence. It’s not as simple as making a quick phone call. We spent hours on hold, left voicemails, and chased down the right people to speak with in Duke’s financial aid office. We asked pointed questions and pushed for answers.
Most families don’t have the time or resources to go through this kind of process. And even if they do, the financial aid system can be intimidating—especially when you’re not an expert in the nuances of how colleges calculate aid.
At College Aid Pro, we have the experience and knowledge to ask the right questions and advocate for families, but we also understand that not everyone has this level of access or confidence. That’s why we built MyCAP. We want families to feel empowered with the most accurate information possible, so they can make informed decisions without second-guessing their numbers.
How Duke University Fixed the Problem: Transparency Matters
Once we were able to connect with the right people at Duke, they were quick to acknowledge and fix the issue. After reviewing our concerns, Duke’s financial aid office discovered that the NPC was not applying their home equity policy correctly, due to an error. The university’s response was swift and effective—they corrected the NPC within hours.
When we tested the NPC again the next day, the family’s estimated cost had dropped from $50,000 to around $10,000—in line with our MyCAP projection. Thanks to Duke’s commitment to transparency and accuracy, the family was able to move forward with their ED application, knowing the real cost of attendance.
We applaud Duke University for taking immediate action and recognizing how crucial it is for families to have the correct financial information. Transparency in financial aid is essential, especially with the rising cost of college tuition. Duke’s quick response demonstrates their dedication to helping families understand their true costs and make informed decisions.
Why We Created MyCAP: Empowering Families with Accurate Information
At College Aid Pro, we understand that navigating the financial side of college can be overwhelming, especially when colleges’ NPCs may not be up to date. That’s why we created MyCAP—to give families a reliable tool to calculate college costs across multiple schools, in one place, with up-to-date, accurate information.
We believe that a Net Price Calculator should always be as accurate as possible. MyCAP was built with that goal in mind. Our software allows families to run the NPCs for all the colleges they’re interested in, while using current data and reliable projections. We are constantly updating our tools to reflect the latest tuition rates, financial aid policies, and cost factors, so you can feel confident about your college costs.
Create Your Free MyCAP Account Today: Trust, but Verify
This family’s story shows why it’s so important to double-check the numbers provided by a school’s NPC. If you’ve already run your numbers through a school’s NPC, don’t stop there. Use MyCAP to run the same numbers and verify the results. You’ll get up-to-date projections that reflect each school’s latest financial aid policies—helping you avoid costly mistakes.
At College Aid Pro, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of college costs. Our goal is to provide families with accurate and reliable information, so you can make decisions with confidence. Create your free MyCAP account today to see your projected college costs and compare them across schools.
Conclusion: Trust, but Verify—Thanks to Duke for Getting It Right
We want to thank Duke University for recognizing the importance of accurate financial aid information and for taking quick action to correct their NPC. This level of transparency is crucial in today’s college landscape, where families are making life-changing decisions based on financial projections. Duke’s response is a great example of how schools can prioritize the needs of families and ensure they have the right tools to make informed decisions.
At the same time, this case highlights the importance of being your own advocate. Mistakes can happen, even at the highly prestigious schools. Create your free MyCAP account today and ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information when planning for your family’s financial future.
