<p>Assuming, it is need-based (not merit) what are my chances of getting a decent amountof financial aid? (I am filling out the FAFSA & CSS Profile.)</p>
<p>I just need some general predictions. Hopefully I don't have to run to fill out scholarhip applications... :p</p>
<p>*FYI- Both parents work full-time and have two dependents (me & my younger bro.)</p>
<p>edit__</p>
<p>I was also jwing, is it better to fill out less about your parent's educational background (assuming they are not alumn)? Both of my parents have doctorates, and up till now, I completely (and honestly) filled out everything apps. asked for. Should I have filled out the bare minimum..?</p>
<p>Hmmmm, I wouldn't look for too much finaid...and most of what you're offered is likely to be loans...I'd get started on those scholarship apps pretty quickly....</p>
<p>I would answer questions honestly. Imagine if one of your recs mentioned your parents background (or something else which would reveal the truth) and you had portrayed them as not having gone to college. That's the sort of thing that can put you right in the deny pile.</p>
<p>As for the financial aid, you may get some. A lot will depend on your parents assets beyond income. If they have little else beyond modest home equity, your EFC would most likely be less than the full cost of college, at least at elite schools. Beyond that, hope for merit aid.</p>
<p>Eh I definitely wouldn't expect much, especially because I think there would be more students out there that desperately need the money opposed to someone with has over a 100+ family income. When my dad was working, we had a 100+ income, and my sister received no fin aid from Bucknell....so I don't know, it'll depend on the school, but I wouldn't expect it.</p>
<p>I'd use the calculators at finaid and at collegeboard. They ask for more data and produce relatively accurate numbers based on my recent completion of the profile and the fafsa. Good luck.</p>
<p>Take a look at the sticky thread about colleges that give generous merit aid. If you apply to the right places you can get a lot of help regardless of the FAFSA .</p>
<p>I have to disagree. My parents make just over 100k, and I still got just short of half of the cost of attendance in grant aid. It still leaves a good amount of the bill to be footed by me, but it is certainly not "nothing." Definitely fill out the applications truthfully, and keep your hopes up because it's not a lost cause.</p>
<p>*OH and about filling out my parent's information truthfully. I am--just in case that was not clear..I just wanted to know if it would have been better if I had just said college graduate (B.A/B.S.) and not added a master's & Ph.D degree....</p>
<p>Definitely use the calculators, as few people can tell you much. Assets like savings and home equity may matter. So can your parents ages, and how they make their money (for example, business losses may be regarded differently in aid calculations than in income calculations).</p>
<p>I'll bet just about any school could produce an example of a student from a family who had an income over $100K and had full aid based on need, and a student from a family with an income over $100K who got no aid.</p>
<p>Regarding your parents information: there would be no advantage if you'd checked "college" instead of "doctorate/master's" Colleges only give advantage to students who are the first in their family to attend college.</p>