I recently got my UCLA decision, and although I was happy to be accepted, the cost is just too much (about $58k/yr). However, I put my family’s numbers into USC’s net price calculator and I was very happy with the result (about $35k/yr). It’s still a lot, but I think my family can make that work. So my question is how accurate is it? Can any current students or already admitted students chime in on whether the predicted financial aid numbers turned out to be the actual? Thanks
It doesn’t factor in siblings in college. Even though it asks the question, it doesn’t work/shows the same $ as without siblings in college.
Work study was less than predicted. If you’re eligible for it, the calculator will show the average amount given (not what you’d actually get).
NPC are not too good for divorced parents, self employed, own a business, own property other than main home. I have seen the offer match but for very low income students who had very simple low financials.
Anyway you will get an actual offer before you have to make decisions, yea?
@Lilliana330 so if I have siblings in college whose college cost a lot, I should get more than the NPC predicts right?
@BrownParent yes I know it’ll just be a few more days, just trying to keep my mind off of things haha
Results may vary. Some parents reported it was close. It wasn’t accurate in our case the first year. We ended up with a bill twice what we expected even though we accounted for income, assets and children in college. But the second year was better.
So it’s interesting, but don’t pin your hopes on it.
@ArtsandLetters can you elaborate as to why the second years was better?