Latching onto this thread and hoping for some words of wisdom….
I will have 2 in college next year. Only filled out FAFSA once 3 years ago for #1. We didn’t qualify for any need based aid, and our EFC was higher than the COA ($80k). #1 ended up receiving a 4 year full tuition non need-based scholarship. We pay room, board, fees, transportation etc. roughly $20k a year, and the university does not require FAFSA for merit. Child #2 has received significant merit, but not full tuition. We are looking at $40-60k COA a year after merit for #2, plus what we pay for #1. I just filled out FAFSA ONLY for #2 and our EFC is half of what it was 3 years ago. Does FAFSA assume we will be filling out the form for #1 again, and our EFC will be same for #1 as #2 assuming financials are the same? Should I just plan on doubling our EFC? Not sure how this works. Thanks!