<p>The answer is that the estimators are just that. There are other things that they ask to hone in more specifically when you do the real thing. The only way to know for sure that some things are not left off like value of cars and specific other belongings is by doing a dry run completing an actual form.</p>
<p>Can’t speak for Williams, but just on that one specific point, I can tell the OP that Amherst will not ask about your family’s cars.</p>
<p>Aren’t the worth of the family’s cars standard on the CSS profile?</p>
<p>No. The value of cars is a question in the supplemental section of the Profile. If you are not applying to a college that has requested that information, it will not show up when you fill out the form. (I’ve filled out the CSS Profile over four years, and I’ve never seen it. I only hear about it here on College Confidential.) The questions in the supplemental section can vary quite a bit, but if even one college you’re applying to does want to ask the car question, it will show up. The schools that don’t ask it, don’t get the answer to it.</p>
<p>I’ve always kind of wished we got the car question because I think our only car, a 19-year-old Corolla, gives a pretty good snapshot of our resources. ;)</p>
<p>(Actually, it probably give a better snapshot of our priorities than anything else.)</p>
<p>Confirmed with H, who filled out financial aid forms, that Williams does not request that information either.</p>
<p>I’m with you 'rent, with 2 cars valued at less than 2K, I think it might be an advantage.</p>
<p>Hmm. My son is going to Williams in the fall and his package was the best of many other 100% need schools… that is until Harvey Mudd accepted him late off of the waitlist and then they came in a couple thousand higher.</p>
<p>As I consider a plus loan or a home equity, to help with a portion of his tuition, are people saying Williams does or does not include home equity in their equation (compared to amherst)?</p>
<p>Shelldemeo, it’s hard to say what is considered by PROFILE schools, as many do not come up with an EFC and getting breakdowns is often like pulling teeth. You can call Williams fin aid office directly and ask as that would give you the most definitive answer. </p>
<p>Where I noticed differences among schools is how the student contribution was calculated. Some schools had some rigorous requirements there. Kinda negates the no loans in the package if the kid has no savings and can’t find a job in the summer. Where does the school think the kid is going to come up with that money other than from the Stafford loans?</p>
<p>Shelldemeo, I don’t know the precise formula for the home equity calculation, of course, but the idea is that it is calculated (at some schools, including both Williams and Amherst) as a percentage of income. So if a family has a lot of home equity (perhaps they bought the house long ago, or perhaps its value has substantially increased, or both), but a modest income, then the amount of the home equity that is considered an asset in the aid formula will not throw off the estimate of what the family can actually pay. However at some schools, the percentage of income figure they use will be adjusted according to income level; for example, a family with an AGI of <40000 will not have any of their home equity considered at Stanford. (Not sure of the exact numbers there, but that’s the principle.)</p>
<p>Most all of the generous privates will expect a student contribution that includes summer earnings and part-time work during the academic year. If for some reason that is impossible, then the student can appeal that and seek a waiver or a reduction, but yes, generally speaking they are expected to contribute.</p>
<p>Williams waves one summer of student earnings in order for students to take advantage of summer internships.</p>
<p>Yes, that’s a nice feature! Amherst does that too.</p>