That net price calculator has been suggested more than once. The family should do this. If they are self employed, own a business, have real estate other than their primary home, or are divorced, the NPC will not be accurate.
Well, UW-Madison’s NPC should be accurate because there are only 7 questions, starting with what is your FAFSA EFC:
EFC?
WI Resident?
Dependent?
Freshman?
Engineering?
Wisconsin Covenant?
Dorm/off campus/commuter?
Was your son accepted under binding Early decision from the first school? Otherwise, he can accept and then see what else comes up and then withdraw. As long as he does not sign anything that specifies that all other apps have to be withdrawn.
If you have to decide so soon, was the financial aid package from the school A based on actual 2014 income and asset numbers or an “estimate” or based on 2013 income? At this point they would only have the CSS profile, or did you file FAFSA already? Final numbers from FAFSA or CSS profile won’t be out till taxes are filed probably.
Son I wonder why they are pressuring you to decide now, unless it was ED.
I agree with others to calculate your EFC and try net price calculators at both schools.
For the OOS school assume you might only get federal aid and maybe UW grant if your EFC is low enough, since merit is not guaranteed.
Could the pressure to decide soon have to do with athletic recruiting?
I’m sure the coach wants a decision as soon as possible.
With no athletic scholarship at stake, though, they can’t pull the fin aid offer, can they? Though they could deny instead of admit if the coach says “no”.