How to answer this tricky CSS Profile question?

Paying for College
1

<p>Working on filling out the CSS. In the section that asks about Student Resources there is a question that says "Enter the amount that your parents expect to be able to contribute to your 2013-2014 college year expenses." </p>

<p>Why do they even ask this when they've asked for all of your other financial info? I thought it was up to the school to tell us what they will offer. How will our answer here affect our package? Besides the amount we can contribute now may change significantly between by next year.</p>

<p>Does everyone put a "low-ball" figure here?</p>

2

<p>I have the same question. Working on it for the first time. I think a low figure would be good, but am interested in hearing other opinions.</p>

3

<p>Yes, a low ball figure. PROFILE would dig out the filling to your teeth , if they could.</p>

4

<p>Most people on the boards think that question is irrelevant (and probably not used at all) since the school tells you what they think you can pay.</p>

5

<p>But if you come up with some nice big fat figure, who wants to bet that they won’t pounce on it? I know someone who called up and asked about it when the put an extra zero on the figure. They are looking. One whisper of a grandma or aunt that might help out, and some schools will be all on that.</p>

6

<p>We just put down what we really planned to contribute.</p>

7

<p>We always used our FAFSA EFC. It was a pretty accurate reflection of what we could pay.</p>

8

<p>I can’t remember what I put on mine, but I am not sure if it matters. Looking in hind-sight, I wish I had just put a pretty low-ball number, since it can’t hurt. The worst thing that could happen is them making you pay more than that number.</p>