<p>I've take a look at some of the financial aid forms and I am beyond confused about what to put because of my "unique" situation.</p>
<p>My parents divorced while I was in 4th grade and I lived with my mother until right before high school when I moved in with my dad. My brother, who is a rising senior, and sister still live with my mother. I have no clue how much money she makes a year other than it is definatley under $40,000 a year. My father makes roughly $80,000 a year but he has to pay child support and has to continue to pay for 3 years after I graduate high school. How do I figure out how much financial aid to expect?</p>
<p>I am planning on applying to:
Vanderbilt
Georgetown
Tulane
University of Memphis
Rice</p>
<p>4 of those colleges cost in excess of $40,000 a year with tuition, room, and board. I need a rough idea about how much aid I can expect from these colleges. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.</p>
<p>Start by visiting FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid which explains how to figure whose dependent you are for the federal financial aid analysis. It looks like your dad is the parent FAFSA would require info. from.</p>
<p>Then visit FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans and run your dad's financial information to get an estimate of your EFC.</p>
<p>Since you are looking at private universities, you need to find out if they require the PROFILE <a href="https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp%5B/url%5D">https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp</a> and/or any supplementary materials. You will need your mother's financial information for the PROFILE even if you don't live with her.</p>
<p>Well...I think what I'm going to end up applying to numerous colleges, recieve my decisions and go from there.</p>
<p>Please don't wait for the decisions. You need to ask your parents to run their financial info through the calculators. Most private schools will want both parents' info & will use Institutional Methodology. Some schools even have their own calculators on their websites. You need to know what to expect ... otherwise, you might find yourself with a handful of acceptances to schools you can't afford. </p>
<p>Your situation is not really unique at all. Lots of kids are in your shoes. Make sure you apply to at least one financial safety school where you would be happy attending.</p>