<p>The challenge comes if you are looking for an estimate for a CSS Profile school. Then all bets are off because they each modify the formula to suit themselves andmany require information from the Non-Custodial parent</p>
<p>that’s what I meant. The student is looking at Rice…which will require CSS Profile…and mom, dad, and step-parents’ incomes and assets. </p>
<p>The student indicates that he/she is upper-middle class…that doesn’t bode well when parents say that they can’t pay much. </p>
<p>However, even with FAFSA, if her custodial parents’ income/assets are upper middle class, that doesn’t bode well either…since the schools that only require FAFSA usually don’t give much/any “free need-based money” to people that are upper middle class. But…there are some that give great merit scholarships for strong stats.</p>