<p>When you look at schools that meet 100% of need, you need to look at two things very carefully:</p>
<p>1) do they meet 100% of need WITHOUT loans?
2) are you going to be required a large student contribution (which means loans if you can’t pay)?
3) how are they going to asses your EFC?</p>
<p>Of course it can be impossible to determine how a school is going to assess your EFC. However, it helps to look at your savings, assets, income, etc. honestly and openly. If you make $150,000 a year, even under the most lenient financial aid programs, you are going to be expected to pay a lot of money - you are in the top 6% of income earners. If you have a lot of money in savings or assets (even if that money can’t be tapped), know that it is going to be counted against your EFC. And please, be careful of non-custodial parents.</p>