<p>Skrlvr provides a helpful illustration of aid distribution at Northwestern, and that is similar to what I have seen published by other like colleges.</p>
<p>What those numbers don’t share is what other factors result in receiving aid, the most significant of which is likely the number of siblings and the number of siblings in college or near college enrollment. </p>
<p>My family’s greatest struggle (and in the end for all of us, that is the prism through which we see the FA system) in sorting through this mess is trying to apply some degree of predictability as to the cost and responsibilities for us with respect to each child (we have five that will roll into college in relatively quick succession) and trying to be consistent in our commitments to each of our children. We have a very good income and have put away a significant amount of money, but it pales in comparison to the aggregate cost.</p>