If you are honest with yourself and input the same numbers into both the NPC and the FAFSA - shouldn’t be any major surprises.

Anonymous wrote:Yes at every school except Bowdoin and Cornell. Bowdoin asked for about $6k more than NPC and Cornell more than 12k(!) less.

I should add that Amherst, which had the best financial aid, was accurate to the NPC within $100. So if I was a prospective parent I would trust that one for sure.

Yes at every school except Bowdoin and Cornell. Bowdoin asked for about $6k more than NPC and Cornell more than 12k(!) less.

I think sometimes people don't accurately report assets when doing the NPC.

I think it only differs because people aren't as precise when completing the NPC vs. when they actually apply for FA.

If you treat the NPC the same as the actual applications, it should be fairly close.

Our price came back at the very low end of the NPC expected range.
We are so, so relieved and pleased.
ED at selective D3, DC has coach support.

Some folks have relayed stories where this was not the case. Trying to figure out if they are outliers. If your Fin Aid offer did not match the NPC, do you have any theories as to why that occurred? TIA!