CSS fin'l aid reporting question

Paying for College
1

Of course, my goal is to maximize fin’l aid for my kid.

My kid went to public school last year, but I paid to other private institutions for her education (a summer academic program at a university, for example).

When the questionnaire asks me “how much I paid for education of my kid at private school last year”, I am wondering if I am better off reporting the $6k I paid for the summer program, or reporting zero since my kid went to public school.

I could justify either answer, but am wondering which one would give me more of financial aid? Would they assume that since I paid last year, I should be able to continue paying at least as much this year, and they’d give us less fin’l aid? Or, by contrast, would they assume that since I paid last year, I now have less money, and they’d give us more fin’l aid?

Please advise,
MK

2

The Profile questions are asking about tuition and other expenses for education at a private school during the academic year, not about the costs of any optional summer programs, whether “academic” or not.

3

Your kiddo went to public school. The answer you put is $0.

4

Nothing more to add. They have it.