How to Underwrite a College Research List For What Matters

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? -

Find the net price calculator on the front end of each school's website, and run your income data through the calculator to understand if the school is likely to charge your family sticker price.

To find the net price calculator on a school's website, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official website of the school you are interested in.

2. Look for sections like "Admissions," "Financial Aid," or "Tuition and Fees." These sections often contain links to the net price calculator.

3. Once you locate the net price calculator, click the link to access it.

4. Input your income data and any other required information, such as family size, number of students in college, etc.

5. Submit the information to receive an estimate of the net price you would likely pay after financial aid. Most net price calculators produce results on financial need grants only, so be sure to take note of Common Data Set section H!

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.

• Does the school require test scores, or if they are test-optional, what percentage of enrolled students submit scores? The Common Data Set, Sections C8A and C9, identify the school's test policy and the percentage of enrolled students that submitted scores.

• If tests are required, or the test-optional school still leans into wanting scores, is my student's score in range now, or is "knocking at the door?" Know your student's Junior year PSAT/NMSQT score likelihood to study and compare that score to Common Data Set Section C9.

  • Modest Study (6-20 hours) Expect 50 - 100 points

  • Intensive Study (20+ hours) Expect 100-200 points

• Is the state school significantly more selective for non-resident students? Look for this information in Section C2.

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.