<p>How reliable are the EFC calculators on <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegeboard.com</a> and <a href="http://www.finaid.org?%5B/url%5D">www.finaid.org?</a> Did anyone use it to help you decide how much to save?</p>
<p>I've used the FinAid calculator several times-- it nailed our EFC to the dollar. VERY helpful as you start planning for the financial aid process, as it breaks down what portion of the EFC comes from Parent's Income, from Student's Income, from Parent's Assets, and from Student's assets. It also quantifies the allowances for Parental Income and Assets, and for Student Income (no student asset allowance). That will allow you to plan to structure your finances in the best possible light on the day you complete the FAFSA, in order to maximize your aid.</p>
<p>Try it.</p>
<p>I used both the FinAid Calculator and the one on collegeboard.com
Using Institutional methodolody the FinAid site gave me at EFC 8000 dollars higher than the one on college board....so which is most accurate</p>
<p>I have been thinking I should just plan on splitting the difference</p>
<p>FinAid was accurate in our case as well.</p>
<p>finaid was accurate here also- disappointing :( but accurate</p>
<p>On the finaid site which calculation was on point for private college which use the CSS form, the federal or institutional methodology?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>federal is for schools that only use FAFSA
Institutional is for schools that use PROFILE</p>