<p>As noted above, the more generous colleges will require the [CSS</a> Profile](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>CSS Profile – CSS Profile | College Board) to determine eligibility for aid. The colleges that use the CSS Profile are listed [url=<a href=“CSS Profile – CSS Profile | College Board”>CSS Profile Participating Institutions and Programs]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>Do make sure you run each college’s Net Price Calculator (NPC) now. Don’t wait until spring to try to figure out which schools will be affordable. Unlike with your two older children, this year your finances really do need to determine which schools your daughter applies to. If she gets her heart set on a school that’s clearly unaffordable, that’s only going to lead to heartbreak next spring. So, run those NPC’s!</p>
<p>And also take a look at the schools listed in the automatic merit aid and competitive merit aid threads that are “stickied” at the top of the forum. (For the “automatic merit” schools, you can just go straight to the final post - that has the most current info.)</p>
<p>You should encourage your daughter to look at in-state publics, privates that offer either good merit or good financial aid (depending on which she’ll qualify for), and the publics that offer automatic merit aid. With the exception of the “automatic merit” schools, out-of-state publics will generally be unaffordable and probably shouldn’t be on her list at all.</p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>