Here's our more in-depth explanation...

1. Personnel & Big Data:
   
   We have a team of 3 professional data analysts led by a professional data scientist. There #1 job is to ensure accurate projections & clean data. The Directors of Financial Aid at Harvard & MIT oversee our projections & process. Our massive database of actual award letters informs our algorithm in real-time how colleges are actually award students.
   

2. Precision in Net Price Estimates for Students:
   
   At College Aid Pro, we follow a meticulous multi-step process to determine accurate net prices for students at each college. Starting with basic school data from Peterson's and IPEDS, we rigorously review it for gaps & inaccuracies. We then calculate the expected net price by considering the total cost of attendance & both need-based & merit-based aid, going beyond the industry norm of relying on average aid amounts.
   

3. Need-Based Aid Projections - A Detailed Approach:
   
   We project need-based aid by calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI) using both federal & institutional methods. We pay special attention to how institutions choose to use home equity & non-custodial parent information in a divorced or separated household in their financial aid calculations. Our experienced team regularly verifies these details with colleges, ensuring accurate SAI calculations. This thorough analysis & personalized approach sets College Aid Pro apart in the educational tools landscape.
   
4. Merit-Based Aid Projections - Beyond the Basics:
   
   Our goal is to accurately project automatic & likely merit scholarships using data from college websites & real-time updates from online monitoring tools. Our proprietary process analyzes actual scholarship awards & criteria, along with state-offered out-of-state tuition discounts & merit scholarships for a comprehensive evaluation. This detailed process, paired with our industry experience, makes us unique. We also offer insights into competitive & talent scholarships, providing further information on available opportunities beyond automatic projections.
5. Continuous Data Update & Improvement:
   
   At College Aid Pro, data accuracy & currency are paramount. Our team continually sources updated information & refines our projections. We update our scholarship database monthly, ensuring our data remains current & relevant. Throughout the school year, we review & update our site as institutions publish new data, keeping it as up-to-date as possible during the college search process.