No. Several national studies have shown that the parental incomes of students in private colleges are, on average, lower than parental incomes of students in large state universities. At Wooster, for example, more than four out of five students receive financial aid.

Is it true that there is little or no aid available for middle-class families?

Not at all, especially if you apply to a high-cost college. Even families with middle -class incomes are often not expected to cover the entire cost of education themselves. Institutional financial aid may well be available even if you are not eligible for a federal grant. At Wooster, the average family income of students receiving financial aid is over $70,000. Families with incomes at this level are receiving grant aid – not loans – averaging $13,000…half of our total charge for tuition, room, and board.

Are merit scholarships only for exceptionally intelligent students?

No. Not every private college offers merit scholarships without regard to a family’s financial need, but many – perhaps most – do offer merit scholarships to reward a wide variety of student accomplishments. At Wooster, for instance, half of the students in each year’s entering class are merit scholarship winners, including our "Scottish Arts Scholarship" winners who excel in one of the Scottish musical arts of bagpiping, drumming, or dancing.

If my older child did not get financial aid at a state university, does that mean my younger child will not qualify at a high-cost private school?

Not necessarily. Aid eligibility is partially determined by the cost of the school in which you have an interest. A family who receives little or no aid at a low-cost state institution might well qualify for significant financial aid at an independent college. A family that is not eligible for federal or state grants might well receive grants from the college itself. Because of financial aid, many families discover that a private school ends up costing no more than a state school would.

If my child is interested in a college we think we cannot afford, is it even worth applying?

Absolutely. If a college is genuinely too expensive for you to afford, you will be offered financial aid. You will never know how much any college actually costs – the bottom line expense to the family – until you see how much financial aid might be offered to lower its "list price."

How complicated is the process of applying for financial aid?

The federal government is committed to streamlining the aid application process. Much of the information requested on the aid application comes directly from the family’s tax returns. Financial aid professionals are eager to help families understand how to apply. One thing is true: you will never receive financial aid unless you apply for it.

Should I submit my FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form through standard U.S. Mail or via the Web?

Submitting your FAFSA form through standard U.S. Mail is super, but slower. If you do complete your FAFSA form on the Web, you will still need to print the required signature page and mail it to the FAFSA processor.