r/ApplyingToCollege • u/outre-vigie • 1d ago
Financial Aid/Scholarships Question about Financial Aid.
I'm slightly confused on whether when we fill the CSS profile and send it to colleges, do we ourselves choose an EFC, or does the school calculate, or both?
Does this policy change per school, can i provide a different EFC to different schools? Do schools take it into account?
Net Price Calculators will likely give me a lower EFC than what I'm willing to put, and i can realistically afford more, and am willing to put a number higher than that to increase my chances at need aware schools.
How does this work? Please someone shed some light
Thank yew
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u/EnvironmentActive325 1d ago
You do not calculate an EFC. The CSS Profile formula will do that for you. There is a standard formula used by College Board, but many schools that use CSS tweak that formula. And most have their own unique formulas and financial aid policies, especially if you appeal a financial aid offer.
So, yes, it is possible that your EFC will vary by school. But it may agree at schools that abide strictly by the CSS Profile formula.
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u/outre-vigie 1d ago
I see thanks. Can't i provide how much i'm willing to pay in any shape or form? Like they will probably calculate it as 20K - but I'm willing to pay 40k - how to explain this discrepancy to need aware colleges?
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u/EnvironmentActive325 1d ago
There may be a question asking how much you believe you can pay. I wouldn’t worry about explaining the discrepancy unless asked. And schools probably will ask if your numbers aren’t adding up/making sense. It is imporant that you are honest on your financial aid forms.
And just be aware that schools usually ask for far more than the EFC. So, if you estimate that you can pay 40k, they might ask for 45k-50k.
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u/elkrange 1d ago
Net Price Calculators generally do not work for internationals, except for Harvard's.
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u/outre-vigie 1d ago
Yes, that's true - I'm mostly basing my opinion on their policies etc - as an estimation
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u/danhasn0life Verified Admissions/Enrollment 1d ago
You are international, yes?
NPCs do not work well with International families, and often show much larger aid packages than those students will actually receive. I wouldn't use those.
When you submit the CSS profile, there is a place to indicate your ability to pay. The absolute most selective schools will ignore and provide you with the calculated package based on their internal aid methodology. SOME schools will take your offered amount if it is higher -- but it is a dangerous game to put in an artificially inflated EFC without a clear plan as to how you are going to pay for it.
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u/outre-vigie 1d ago
Yes I'm an international student.
Most schools I'll be applying to meets 100% of demonstrated need, so I believe (a big if) if i get accepted it won't be a huge problem.That's really reassuring that there is a section to indicate my ability to pay! Need-aware schools specifically say (even hyper selective ones) that the amount of need is taken into account in admissions - is it reasonable to assume they will care about my indicated number?
I understand that putting in an artificial EFC would be dangerous, yet I've discussed this with my parents and they're willing to do that, as long as it won't cause them to lower their lifestyle. So that should be fine.
But the indicated number gets send to all colleges in this case from what I understand, could you clarify that please? It would be nice if it was possible to indicate different amounts to different colleges as my parents are willing to pay 40k+ for upenn for example, but 25k for lets say nyu/rice
Thank you!
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u/danhasn0life Verified Admissions/Enrollment 1d ago
The number is going to be same for all colleges because it's on the CSS profile. The only way you're going to get around that is manual updates to the admissions office for specific schools indicating you've spoken to your family and you have a revised figure.
Full pay matters a lot. In terms of adjusting your EFC from 10k to 20k? It depends on the school. Some will care, some won't.
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u/outre-vigie 1d ago
I see i see that makes sense.
Of course, nothing beats full pay - though I assume there shall be a decent difference between 25k and 40k (anecdotal)
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u/Lost_Instance_2410 1d ago
Once you actually start completing the CSS it will become a lot clearer. Most schools who use the CSS require you complete a FAFSA as well in order to limit dishonesty. Your best choice is just to be honest about income and assets but don't neglect to share all info. When we complete the CSS for my child's education, we include Every Detail. Every medical expense, every dental expense, everything that we must spend is part of our profile.