A cynical person may think that if the amount written is higher than the expected family contribution (not including expected student contribution) that the school’s normal financial aid would expect, the school may cut back the financial aid offer to make the family pay what they say they are willing to pay. I.e. the reverse of what is called “preferential packaging”, based on the assumption that the student and family do not need additional money to entice them.
If that is a concern, run the net price calculator on all of the CSS Profile schools on the list, then give a number no greater than the lowest expected family contribution (not including expected student contribution) for this question. Of course, if the actual number your family is willing to pay is less, use the actual number.