<p>I only know that when I used the net price calculator at some of the schools I am applying to, it went from getting about 20k/year in need based aid with their savings not put in (and I don’t think it’s that much – even if they spent every penny on me, it doesn’t equal four full years of college) to no need based aid whatsoever when I do enter it. I don’t pretend to understand how it works – every source I’ve tried has a different understanding of it. I don’t think it is a gross assumption on my part to say that some of the other kids at my school will get need based aid. Recent graduates certainly have and our school counselor is definitely promoting that assumption among many of them.</p>