<p>“I think the PR materials for the school are somewhat misleading. Specifically, it is now clear that Smith has its own criteria for assessing need (as SmithieandProud clearly states: “100% of student need as Smith calculates it, based on the FAFSA, PROFILE, and their institutional formula”). The materials and the staff at the interview spoke to “we meet 100% documented need”. That is NOT FAFSA documented need - it is something else entirely.”</p>
<p>I can’t think of a single private school that uses FAFSA only. The overwhelming majority of private LACs/uniss have devised their own institutional formulas, of which FAFSA-determined need is only one component. As a general rule, the FAFSA-based EFC is lower than the family contribution determined by the indtitutional formula. There are, of course some notable exceptions - - like Harvard, which promises that families with income under $180K will pay only 10% of income.</p>
<p>Dad1991, very sorry that the fiscal reality tempered or tarnished the beauty of your D’s acceptance moment.</p>