Recruiting Questionaire Financial Aid questions

I would work through the school's Financial Aid department. No school will tell you exactly what you will get until you apply and fill out your FAFSA. However, the school will probably utilize a Financial Aid estimate tool that can help estimate your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). At that time, the FA office could indicate if you would likely receive some form of aid (loans, gratns, etc.) based on your family's financial information that you provide them.

In addition, you can use the EFC calculator at www.collegeboard.com to get a general idea.

Frankly, I had to do a lot of reading to figure this out, and I'm still not 100% on the whole thing. Just like recruiting, there is no one answer for anything. Based upon what I have read, there are TWO methodologies that I'm aware of. FIRST, all colleges that administer Federal financial methodology to calculate an EFC. These figures are not adjusted for unusual circumstances: those expenses, changes in income or family circumstances that colleges can use to adjust EFC up or down. The assets considered are all investible assets except retirement plans, and all real estate holding except the home the family lives in. FAFSA is the form you'll want to review, and become familiar with as RRF8 pointed out. SECOND, many private colleges will use a more complicated metholodolgy to determine how much of their own funds (not govt) that they will provide to a student. The assets considered are all investible assets except retirement plans, all real estate holdings including the home in which the family lives. Some Private schools use CSS Profile form in addition to FAFSA.

I learned early on in this process that FA is one of the most important things to understand. I'm not an accountant nor do I plan to play one on TV. Most schools have a very helpful staff to help you through the basics, but it was a lot of reading for me. It also helps to be polite to the FA officers. Most that I spoke to were real professional, and they want to help.

Thanks for the great info. We haven't even started looking into FA so have no clue if we qualify or not. I guess it's time to do so.

I found a fantastic handbook on Financial Aid. It is titled:

"The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education you want for the price you can afford"

I'm half way through it, and it is a quick and easy read. I really find the authors (Stock and Vedvik) perspective on the Higher Education industry interesting and refreshing. The authors hold no punches as former Directors of Admissions and Financial Aid. It is available on Kindle & paperback.

The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education You Want for the Price You Can Afford

Thanks, Fenway, that will be my road trip reading on my Kindle Fire next week. 5 college visits, two (maybe 3) games, one practice.... should be fun!


Hope the weather holds for all the college raod trips next week!

BaseballmomandCEP,

Please let me know what you think of it as well as what your son thinks about it. There are chapters in there meant for the student. I value your opinion.

The book provides a totally different viewpoint that we used with son #1, but based on their criteria we will come out of it in good shape. We will definitely follow some of their advice and tips with sons #2 and #3. We sat down with son #2 this weekend to talk about colleges, baseball and money. Son #2 gets his SAT scores Thursday, and he took the ACT this past Saturday. Junior year is a rough ride.

Enjoy the road and book!

PS.. My wife and I will be in New Haven April 8 for a DH. Please stop by to say "hi", and see some college baseball if you're in the neighborhood.

Thanks, will do.

April 8th is Easter.... so chances are my extended family will have plans. But, on the other hand, some baseball could be fun

I'll keep it in mind. It would be nice to meet in person.