<p>First of all what % of need does your college daughter’s school meet on average? What things do the examine on their financial aid app, and is this typical or more encompassing than some schools? Then run your numbers through some sample schools that your younger D is considering and see what kind of package you could get from them. You will have two in college for your older D’s senior year, so you may also want to see what kind of aid if any you would get with just your younger D in college as well.</p>
<p>What one college says, is a generality only, and even if it is a stringent rule, is often something that is for that school specifically. Other schools may look at need a different way. Even after doing all of the calculations, I’ve known families who have gotten largely divergent aid packages from schools that proport to using the same methodology. You have to cast a wide net when you want and/or need aid in order to see many possibilities.</p>