<p>So there's FAFSA...is there anything else I need to fill out? What's this about some colleges offering more financial aid than others?</p>
<p>Some schools require CSS Profile or their own forms. You have to look at each or your schools’ FA webpages to find out what they expect and their deadlines.</p>
<p>Most schools do NOT meet need. Most do not have much aid to give. Some schools, usually the top schools, have the best aid since they have large endowments.</p>
<p>Where are you applying? </p>
<p>Is your family low income? </p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>Some schools have a “calculator” accessible through their website. You can plug in your financial information and calculate an estimate of the FA you might receive. There are not quotes, but are just to be used as a guide.</p>
<p>I’m in California. My family income is $100,000+. I’m applying to Brandeis, Colgate, Carleton, Bucknell, and Oberlin.</p>
<p>All your colleges are CSS Profile schools, meaning you need to complete the FAFSA and the Profile (available at collegeboard.com), as well as any aid form each college wants. Deadlines are usually Feb 1 or 15 for such colleges but check each college’s website.</p>
<p>Good news is that, if you qualify, Profile colleges typically award more aid and of that aid, more is typically gift-aid (i.e. discounted tuition). Bad news is that it is often a bit harder to qualify for aid at Profiles because they count parents’ home equity, siblings’ assets, 529 Plan balances as student (not parent) assets and for that matter, income and assets of noncustodial spouses. </p>
<p>$100k income, absent large amounts of assets, at $60k list colleges may make you eligible for nice award packages.</p>
<p>Remember to do the Cal Grant!</p>
<p>For your schools, you will need both FAFSA and PROFILE. Look at the directions at the websites of all of the schools on your list for deadlines and procedures. You may qualify for aid, at the income level, you will but things like home equity, and other issues might come into play, so you have to go through the entire "interrogation via the forms.</p>
<p>If you are looking at California schools as well, make sure you go through the steps to see if you are eligible for any monies there.</p>