<p>Most families are surprised at what colleges expect them to pay, many like your friends feel they would need to sell everything to pay. Colleges are not looking for you to pay out of current income. They assume parents have saved over the years and have a college fund. They expect sacrifices in lifestyle too.</p>
<p>If only aid were ever like you’re asking–just give me work study. Unfortunately that never happens. At most US colleges the major component is the loan. Only at the very top, very rich colleges do they have ample money to give all accepted that have need some grants. A few colleges expect nothing from the very poor, very few.</p>
<p>Aid is reviewed every year, if your parents make more you get less. At full need schools if they make less you get more but at most schools you don’t.</p>
<p>Most schools do not meet need, that is the most important thing to keep in mind.</p>