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Work out a college's real cost from its pages
- For Parents and households
- You practice Keeping the AI to your sources
- Time about 5 minutes
About this exercise
Your daughter got into Ridgeline College and you saved its pages. Using the 2026-27 numbers only, write exactly 4 numbered lines labeled Cost:, Aid:, Net cost: and Ask the aid office:, where Cost: and Aid: each show their parts added up, Net cost: shows cost minus grants, and loans are left out of Aid because they must be repaid. Plain text, under 100 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Mixing years. The AI grabs last year's tuition page because it's listed first. Try: Add: "Use the 2026-27 numbers only."
- Counting loans as aid. Award letters list loans with grants, and the AI adds them all up. Try: Add: "Leave out loans and work-study from Aid."
- No math shown. The AI gives a net cost you can't check. Try: Show it: "Cost: 40,000 + 14,000 + ... = $X."
- Long or formatted output. AI adds money tips and bold headings. Try: Add: "Exactly 4 numbered lines, each under 22 words, plain text."
What a strong prompt includes
- Picks the right year
- Leaves out loans
- Asks to show the math
- Names the 4 labels
- Asks for plain text
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