For need-based financial aid, colleges have net price calculators on their web sites. Some of them also estimate merit scholarships if they ask for stats (GPA, rank, test scores, NMF status). Other merit scholarships may or may not be listed on the college’s web site.
However, be careful in the following situations:
- Divorced parents – check the college’s web pages carefully if it wants both of their finances.
- Parent income includes small business, self employment, rental, farm, etc. where some colleges tend to add back deductions used in tax calculations.
If any of these applies to you, check very carefully on the college’s web site on how to use the net price calculator, and contact the college directly if the answers are not given there (unfortunately common).