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<p>This is true of you EFC per FAFSA. It won’t change based on the school. BUT the two private schools you listed (Northwestern and BC) also use the Profile. The family contribution (the Profile doesn’t compute an EFC…but the colleges do something to figure out what your family can contribute) is determined by each college for institutional monies. Schools use the information on the Profile in varying ways. One example is home equity. Some schools don’t consider it at all, others have a cap on the amount that is considered. Others consider it all. There have been reports here of schools that use the Profile (and meet full need no less) where the financial aid awards varied by many thousands of dollars from school to school. The schools received the same information. </p>
<p>If you know what the financial limitations are for your family, and you are able to live with them even if it means you can’t attend a school in the end…apply. The worst thing that would happen is that you would not receive sufficient aid to attend. </p>
<p>Have a discussion with your parents regarding just how much they are going to contribute each year to your schooling. And make sure you have a “financial safety” just in case the finances don’t work out elsewhere (it sounds like your state school is that).</p>