<p>I wanted to start a discussion of people's experience with best private schools getting close to making up the shortfall. My only experience is with NYU and BU where unless they really really want the student you are lucky to get 1/3rd to 1/2 the shortfall. Also what schools are known for not reducing aid when you are a senior and they know you will not transfer.</p>
<p>I recommend looking at “Average Percentage of Need Met” on the Collegeboard websites and Princeton Review, Petersons and so on. While it is only an average, it will give you some guidance in this matter. Since the ones that meet 100% are very difficult to achieve admission, try to find some privates whose Avg. % of need met fall into the 85% to 95% category. It is such a crap shoot for if the school engages in “Preferential Packaging” the package is going to be based on how badly they want you/your child to enroll. There is always going to be some gapping because colleges are not charities, they are a business, after all. </p>
<p>I don’t think I have ever heard of a Senior getting his financial aid taken away just because he was a Senior, unless he/she wasn’t making academic progress or what they call satisfactory academic progress. Certainly if a sibling graduates and that Senior is now the only one in college, that does make a difference in your EFC.</p>
<p>It isn’t simple when you are looking for the best chances for aid. Sometimes schools that do not meet 100% of need for everyone will do so for your student, which is all that counts. I’ve known kids who got their best packages from schools that gap a lot like NYU. Most of those kids are high stat kids from out of the area, from what I have seen.</p>
<p>Thanks for the notes. I am living through a reduction in a honor roll students junior & senior school aid, in spite of the fact our EFC has gone down. I would love to know for this next time the schools that will not reduce their discount % for the full four years. This has been a very unpleasant surprise.</p>