We are branching out and looking at meets needs schools for S20.
question on FA. He’d have 2 years on the front end and back end with sisters in college at the same time. He’d have two years in the middle with a sis in grad school.
my questions: assuming very little changes between those years, would the NPC be about double or a little more with just one in undergrad? Does grad school count for two in college? Did I read once that it’s about 60% of the NPC if two are in at once? Do schools ever keep FA the same every year once you first apply? thanks!
Most colleges do not count siblings in grad school in the count for undergrad siblings.
And yes, some schools do keep aid the same. I thought Northeastern did but you need to check.
The short answer to all of your questions: it depends on the specific school’s FA policies.
Run NPCs for the without sibling scenario for the middle 2 years. In no way assume your FA won’t change unless you have that in stone. The grad kid is irrelevant. Run ALL the numbers, so you are not relying in your younger or older kid affecting your aid, should there be any change of situation, so at least for worst case scenario, you know your numbers. If willing to bear the risk, at least have frank discussions with your kids abut any financial fragility should this be the case. The profile is going to be much more in depth than an NPC so always have a plan B in case the offers are crap.