Compiling a college research list before determining your budget is inefficient and may lead to confusion. Just as no family begins house hunting without knowing their mortgage limit, which is based on assets, debt-to-income ratio, and credit score, you should apply the same approach when creating a college list after setting a budget.
Is my student likely to receive academic merit scholarships?- The #1 wrong answer when discussing budget is, let's see what happens, and we will "figure it out."
Common Data Set Section H Overview
In Section H of the school's Common Data Set, the following key points are highlighted:
H2: Percentage of students receiving non-need-based aid
H4: Average non-need-based financial aid package
H6: Additional details on non-need-based aid distribution
Considerations for Test-Optional Schools
Even if a school is test-optional, evaluating whether your student's SAT/ACT scores fall within the 75th percentile or higher is advisable. This can enhance the student's chances of receiving academic merit scholarships.
Is my family's reported income eligible for need grants from the school? -
Is my student's academic profile what the school requires for admission? Please don't fall into that trap of expecting your student to outperform their current academic profile.
Developing a college list involves a data-driven approach, and the most informed consumers understand the data initially. Feeling overwhelmed? Start a conversation to discover how we simplify the process for families to become informed consumers and steer clear of chaos.