<p>The other thing you might want to consider is having your daughter spend one day more in time with her father than with you this next year, if he would be a better custodial parent for FAFSA purposes. Maybe he quaiflies for a zero EFC or a low enough one that makes her PELL eligible. </p>
<p>The fact of the matter is, however, that at schools that do not guarantee to meet full need, it might not make any difference anyways. Need is reduced by merit first and then often met, say up to the tuition point or whatever threshhold and then, that’s it regardless of how much more need there is. It does depend upon the school. The only certainty is PELL, up to $5600 a year with a zero EFC and subsidization of the Direct loans in a given schedule. If your state has aid, that might be a guarantee too,</p>