<p>So Northeastern University is by far my top choice for colleges, but I have a question regarding the use of the NCP form on it. NU does require the noncustodial profile, and its sticker price is about 60k. My father (the noncustodial parent) makes around 55k a year, while my mother makes next to nothing (she is remarried but my stepfather only makes about 30k). Will the NCP totally screw up my chances of aid? 55k isn't a whole lot, but do you think Northeastern will be affordable after the CSS and FAFSA-based grants. (I have no college savings). Thanks!</p>
<p>Northeastern doesn’t guarantee to meet full need for all of its accepted students. It is very possible you wouldn’t get sufficient need based aid anyway. But the only way to know for sure…apply and see. Just make sure you have some affordable colleges in your application lost as well in case the finances don’t work out at NEU.</p>
<p>@thumper1 I was informed by my guidance counselor that NU is actually claiming to meet 100% need. I’m mainly worried about the impact of the NCP on my financial aid.</p>
<p>Huh, that must be a new change. I know that Northwestern University (NU) meets full demonstrated need but I had no idea that Northeastern University (NEU) now does too. </p>
<p>Have you tried using [their</a> net price calculator](<a href=“Net Price Calculator”>Net Price Calculator) to see the impact of the parent on your aid?</p>
<p>For divorced families, run the NPC for each household (custodial and noncustodial parents). Then, combined the net prices from both to get a more accurate result.</p>
<p>However, even given that, situations where small businesses are involved or divorces can yield bizarre numbers. As previous posters have said, just apply and find out.</p>
<p>It looks like they are meeting full need starting this year. Sounds like you are just on the edge income wise from being fully covered.
<a href=“Northeastern to invest more than $220 million in financial aid - Northeastern Global News”>http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2014/04/northeastern-to-invest-more-than-220-million-in-financial-aid/</a></p>
<p>However, different colleges will calculate the amount your family needs differently. Just apply and see what you will get. Sure it seems smart to run the NPC but it isn’t always accurate for divorced families. You also might be awarded merit aid.</p>
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<p>But first subtract any duplicate awards. For example, if you get the $5500 Direct Loan from the custodial parent and the non-custodial on the NPC, you will NOT receive it twice. Ditto school grants, Pell Grant, SEOG, etc. </p>
<p>When you do the NPC separately for both parents, you get two separate awards that will likely contain the same types of financial aid. BUT you won’t get the aid TWO times…only once.</p>
<p>Two families making less than $85K should yield some good financial aid at a school that meets 100% IMHO. They do take into account that there are two sets of household cost and each school has their own idea of “need” so its very subjective. I agree, apply and see what happens. Make sure you apply to a few schools that are financial safeties just in case.</p>
<p>Your father’s income will affect your financial aid, absolutely, but as NEPatsGirl says, you should still get what is considered “good” aid. However, what NEU will define will ask your family and you to contribute and what you all can afford may still be a big gap. Keep that in mind. Give it a go, and hope for the best. But prepare for the worst by making sure you have some truly affordable schools on your list. Albright meets need using EFC, so they say, though the NPC doesn’t show it–I called admissions and so they confirmed. Endicott is a school that gives merit to those with good stats and has the internships as well. Look at local state options. If NEU pans out with enough Fin aid to make it a go, congrats and great. But make sure you cover your base.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys. However, I don’t think that it’s very accurate to run the financial figures through two different NPCs. Both times I get essentially the maximum aid. Honestly, I’m just gonna apply and hope for the best. I am planning on applying to my safeties RD. </p>