<p>I have looked up PROFILE and see where we would apply, but do you know of a good way to preview what your PROFILE results will be, if we arent’ actually ready to register/apply yet? I’d like to at least see what specific information it asks for. If possible, I’d love to be able to plug in numbers to see what happens with different scenarios.</p>
<p>I thought that schools really just looked at basically a snapshot of your assets on the date you apply, but then I saw somewhere that some may consider details like how you have used your money over the last couple years. That is just one of the things I’d like to be able to look into further.</p>
<p>Profile simply collects information and some of the information it collects depends on which schools you are applying to, i.e. there are supplements that some schools require and others don’t. But profile doesn’t give you results or a number like fafsa does with EFC so there isn’t much you can play with different scenarios and see different results. Each school will take the info collected and put it through their own secret formula to come up with what they expect the family to contribute. On top of that many schools won’t meet the calculated need.</p>
<p>Hopefully your student isn’t applying for this fall or you are probably behind in the process.</p>
<p>The best thing to do would be to go to the finaid websites of schools you are interested in and try their Net Price Calculator(NPC). But they are just estimates, some are better than others and when people are self-employed, own a business, have rental properties etc., they are generally less accurate.</p>
<p>I would only add that there is a worksheet that you can print out to help gather the information that you will need. I think you have to register and start the process in order to print out the worksheet. </p>
<p>As AnnoyingDad has pointed out though, there are no results to be had. The profile simply collects your data to be sent to the schools. The school then use it is as they see fit to determine your need.</p>
<p>You could choose the EFC calculator on the College Board website, pick IM, for institutional methodology and use your 2012 Tax Returns… Keep hitting save on every page…</p>
<p>Print out the EFC page, make notes on figures you used.
Then go back in and use another scenario and repeat. This will give you an EFC for PROFILE schools.
The EFC will give you a rough idea, it will not be 100% accurate.</p>
<p>Remember if you are self-employed, have a non custodial parent and step parents involved etc, the PROFILE colleges are going to tinker with your numbers. Also depending on the school, there will be supplemental questions to be answered when you do the actual PROFILE, like the vehicles you own, are they leased, how much do you owe on your vehicles etc…you will be able to tell which schools want answers to supplemental questions. Hope this helps!</p>