<p><<they did=“” not=“” get=“” decent=“” financial=“” aid=“” packages,=“” they=“” had=“” similar=“” income,=“” but=“” maybe=“” a=“” kid=“” less=“” at=“” home.=“”>>
You know more than anyone else how expensive a kid is. (Even if it is a boy.) Colleges take that into account.</they></p>
<p>In my parents’ case, we itemized our expenses on a monthly basis, and contrasted it with our income. Though it initially seemed like alot, once we broke it down for the colleges they realized it wasn’t much at all. </p>
<p>My point here is that you shouldn’t rule out a given school right off the bat, or panic about financial aid just yet. Your son may in fact have something particularly intriguing to a given college, therefore making them more likely to “woo” him–with money. He may come up with some scholarships on his own. </p>
<p>I do think it’s great that you want to be thoroughly prepared for all this. Also, please bear in mind that alot of things will be considered into institutional methodology. Some things may be counted against you; but they may not be. You will probably get a break for owning older, more modest cars, for example. Oh, and you can always negotiate. Some books offer tips for doing so.</p>