<p>I want to echo Mr. B’s comment: “Two schools offering 100% of need might result in no debt or $20,000+.”</p>
<p>Last year, my daughter applied to 11 colleges – ALL OF THEM MET 100% OF NEED. However, each school figured our family’s need differently and consequently the offers we received were all over the map. For example, one college’s idea of 100% need was to give no grants or work study and $53,000 in federal student/parent loans; another school gave $34,000 in grants, no student loans, and an offer of $16,000 in parent loans. Unfortunately, most colleges do not publish their “need formulas”, so it’s very difficult to predict with certainty what kind of financial aid package a school meeting 100% of need will ultimately offer.</p>