Award letters shouldn't require a finance degree
"We added plain-English summaries to every award letter. Calls to our office dropped 40%, and yield went up because families finally understood our value."
How JoySuite Simplifies Financial Aid
Students and parents stare at award letters full of acronyms and fine print, trying to figure out what they'll actually pay. Confused families call your office—or worse, choose a different school because they didn't understand your package.
From chaos to clarity in 4 steps
Share the award letter
Paste the award details, upload the letter, or connect your SIS. JoySuite references your Knowledge Center for institutional policies and aid types.
Ask for a plain-English translation
Use Dahlia's /explain command or ask "Translate this award letter into simple terms". Specify if the audience is student, parent, or both.
Review the translation
Get a clear summary: "What you'll actually pay," "Free money vs loans," "Monthly payment estimates," and "Next steps" in plain language.
Share with families
Send alongside the official letter, or use as talking points for financial aid conversations.
Key Features
📝 Plain-Language Summaries
Convert complex award letters into clear summaries that explain total costs, grants vs. loans, and out-of-pocket expenses in everyday language.
💰 Clear Cost Breakdown
Show families exactly what's 'free money' that never needs repayment versus loans that create future debt, with monthly payment estimates.
📋 Actionable Next Steps
Include clear instructions for accepting awards, completing loan counseling, and contacting financial aid counselors with deadlines highlighted.
👥 Audience-Specific Versions
Generate different versions for students, parents, or both, with appropriate detail levels and explanations for each audience.
What you can feed it
JoySuite works with whatever you have—no need to polish your notes first.
Award Letter
Official financial aid package
Cost of Attendance
Tuition, fees, room, board
Grant Details
Federal, state, institutional
Loan Terms
Rates, repayment info
Work-Study
Eligibility and estimates
Comparison Data
How package compares
Adapt this recipe for your needs
Parent Version
Extra context on Parent PLUS loans and family contribution.
Side-by-Side
Compare your package to competitor school format.
International Student
Address visa work restrictions and limited aid options.
Multi-Year View
Project costs and aid over 4 years.
What you'll get
Here's a sample plain-English translation of an award letter:
Sofia Martinez - Financial Aid Summary
Plain-English version of your 2024-25 award letter
The Bottom Line
- Total Cost: $52,000/year
- Free Money (Grants/Scholarships): $38,000
- Your Out-of-Pocket Cost: $14,000/year
Breaking Down Your "Free Money"
- Merit Scholarship: $20,000 (yours for 4 years if you maintain 3.0 GPA)
- Need-Based Grant: $12,000 (reviewed annually based on FAFSA)
- Federal Pell Grant: $6,000 (based on family income)
What About the $14,000?
Option A: Federal Student Loan
- Borrow $5,500 at 5.5% interest
- Monthly payment after graduation: ~$60
Option B: Work-Study
- Earn up to $3,000 working on campus
- ~10 hours/week at $15/hour
Remaining Gap: $5,500-$8,500
Options: Payment plan, outside scholarships, or Parent PLUS loan
Next Steps
- Accept your award by May 1 in the portal
- Complete loan entrance counseling (if borrowing)
- Questions? Schedule a call with your counselor: Sofia.FA@university.edu
Who This Is For
Financial Aid Officers
University staff who want to reduce confusion, decrease call volume, and help students understand their options.
Parents
Families trying to understand what college will actually cost and how to pay for it without getting lost in jargon.
High School Counselors
Guidance counselors helping students navigate the financial aid process and compare college options.
Students
Prospective college students who need to understand their award packages to make informed enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I explain financial aid letters to students?
JoySuite's Financial Aid Translator converts complex award letters into plain-English summaries. It breaks down total costs, grants vs. loans, out-of-pocket expenses, and monthly payment estimates in language students and parents can easily understand.
What's the difference between grants and loans in financial aid?
Grants are 'free money' that doesn't need to be repaid, while loans must be repaid with interest after graduation. JoySuite clearly separates these in translated summaries, showing students exactly what's free and what creates future debt.
How do I compare financial aid packages from different schools?
Use the side-by-side comparison feature to translate multiple award letters into a standardized format. This helps students compare true out-of-pocket costs, loan burdens, and net prices across schools rather than confusing award letter formats.
Can AI translate FAFSA results into plain English?
Yes, JoySuite translates FAFSA results and award letters into clear summaries. It explains Expected Family Contribution (EFC), eligibility for federal aid, and what the numbers mean for actual college costs in terms anyone can understand.
How can universities reduce financial aid office call volume?
By providing plain-English translations alongside official award letters, universities answer common questions before families need to call. Institutions using translated summaries report 40% fewer calls and improved enrollment yield.