How do Siblings Play into the Equation

thumper1
Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:09:30 +0000

Ivies don’t use the federal methodology. They use institutional methodology. Each Ivy has a different formula they use to compute your EFC…and it could vary from Ivy to Ivy. These schools require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.

Schools that use the Profile consider a broader range of assets. I don’t know the %age of home equity that each Ivy considers (if any). That figures into the equation and it doesn’t at a FAFSA only school. Also, if you have parents who are divorced, schools using the Profile ask for (and use in some way) the income and assets of the non-custodial parent (and spouse if there is one) as well.

The difference between the FAFSA (federal) and Profile (Institutional) EFCS can be HUGE.