<p>somemom:</p>
<p>It depends on the school. Until fairly recently, Harvard did ask for parental income and expected parents to contribute to their children's graduate education. I know one person who returned to school when in his 50s and was asked about his parents' income! Harvard decided to compete with Princeton in providing full funding so it is no longer asking for parental income. I imagine, however, that many other schools still do.</p>