<p>Parents need to log on to one of the Financial Aid calculators and plug in some rough numbers. Don’t wait until it’s time to finalize the list to realize you have no financial safeties and that the likely financial aid package from the schools on the list are unaffordable. Long time posters here see the postings from kids every April who were “DIY” with no parental involvement and it’s really sad- kid gets admitted to 8 schools, none of which he/she can attend…</p>