<p>As people stated before, your family needs to carefully evaluate the cash. If it is “for business expenses” is it held in business bank accounts? If so, that would not be shown on FAFSA meaning better aid, if your income is low, though that does nothing for Profile schools.</p>
<p>A provocative posting followed by a disappearance always make me wonder . . .</p>
<p>Less than 2 yrs ago (May 2009), this was the OPs situation:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/714616-no-aid-upper-middle-class.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/714616-no-aid-upper-middle-class.html</a></p>
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<p>A 400k increase in assets but “no college money” to pay for 2 yrs of school?</p>
<p>I think the student needs to have a talk with his parents. In most of the cases that I’ve seen that were like this, the family didn’t have the money in a bank but instead had an expensive second home that they inherited and can’t sell. In cases like those, the seemingly-large asset is tied-up in someway and almost inaccessible. In this situation, however, the money doesn’t sound inaccessible. The family doesn’t want to use it for college, but they could if they did. </p>
<p>I have to agree with everyone else. There’s not going to be a lot of aid forthcoming just because the parents want to hold onto their solid-platinum nest egg. It’s time for the OP to open negotiations with her parents; they have to have all the facts so that they may reconsider. Failing that (or even if it succeeds!), the student should be pursuing merit aid opportunities and considering the possibility of transfer articulation agreements between a community college and a state university to cut costs. I understand that in this economy everyone is struggling, but you must always keep in mind your option. Being this affluent is a great blessing; it might not get you financial aid, but there are incalculable benefits to being able to live in a safe neighborhood, to have access to good schools, and to have the resources to have your needs met. It’s not perfect or easy by any means but you should know the advantages you have so that you can take advantage of them.</p>
<p>Post #23 from Entomom is interesting. My question would be…HOW did the assets increase from $400k to $800k in the last two years…with the business doing so POORLY (as described by the OP of this thread)? It’s sure not interest as we all KNOW what has happened to THAT in the last two years.</p>
<p>IF the OPs family used $100000 to pay for his final two years of school, they would STILL have $700,000 in the bank (not including the interest). If they really have a way to invest that DOUBLES their assets in two years, heavens…they would have $1,400,000.</p>
<p>OK OP…please clarify…if you are still reading this thread.</p>
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<p>That is my situation…expensive piece of real estate that has been in the family for a few generations. Sure it’s an asset, but if you are not selling(want to pass it on to your kids), forget about financial aid. Not sure what can be done, some distinction between liquid and non liquid assets?..People would just purchase real estate to hide liquid assets around college time I guess.</p>
<p>If you’re not selling because you WANT to keep it, that’s just a choice that you’ve made similar to the OP’s parents. Completely different than those parents who want to sell the asset to fund the kid’s education, but are unable to due to market conditions or title restrictions…those folks are truly between the rock and hard place. A few years ago, it was easy to borrow against assets until they could be sold but those days are now gone too.</p>
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<p>The issue is you HAVE this asset and you COULD sell it. Most non-liquid assets can be liquidated.</p>
<p>^ok…but every situation is different. How about a second piece of real estate that is used for business purposes(ie: a nursery) that can’t be sold because it’s the lone source of income?</p>
<p>My point is that there are many, many scenarios that the current financial aid process doesn’t address. Not everyone fits the mold.</p>
<p>Geeps…that property would be considered a business asset if you have your business set up that way. The nursery should be set up as being “owned” by the business…I would think.</p>
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<p>Not much different from taxes or any other complex issue that needs to address many situations. There is a rational behind FA calculations, and yes there are improvements that could be made. But isn’t it unrealistic to think that every situation is going to be meet with satisfaction? In our case, my kids are born 4 yrs apart, which means I end up paying more than I would have if they overlaped. But I understand that this is because families supporting 2+ kids in college at the same time is a hardship, thus the policy. I don’t like it and would rather pay less, but I try to look at the larger picture and the fact that this is not an arbitrary rule, just one that doesn’t fall my way.</p>
<p>Does having a house where we live and an appartement in my native country count as assets?</p>
<p>Are you an international student? If so, both dwellings will be counted as assets as you cannot complete a FAFSA (where the primary residence doesn’t count). I don’t know whether the form for international students included primary residence equity or not…,.but the Profile DOES.</p>
<p>Hi again!</p>
<p>I didn’t disappear, I just didn’t check the thread for a couple days.</p>
<p>Okay, so answering questions:</p>
<p>2 years ago, I was going off of something my Dad mentioned – this time I actually got a chance to look at the papers. I just didn’t actually know the stats before now.</p>
<p>No money tied up in a second home.</p>
<p>I get in-state tuition and a merit scholarship paying for most of the tuition at my state school, and I don’t think I’d get more merit aid at another school I’d transfer to.</p>
<p>Thanks for advice. I’ll find out if some of the assets are in the small business accounts or something. If not, I’ll at least know I did all the research I could.</p>
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<p>That’s because you do 
But kidding aside, if your parents intend to leave you any of the business as an inheritance one day, could you possibly make the case for the business to create a shareholder loan now, for which you could “work” to reduce during your summers, and perhaps part-time while at school. Since you’re obviously talented enough for an Ivy, I am thinking that you are probably bright enough to TURN AROUND the business they say is failing, and “make back” their investment in your education.</p>
<p>Just a thought re: a different strategy. Best wishes for making your dreams come true.</p>