<p>My biggest tip - answer the questions as asked - there is a reason for them!! The questions that seem to stump people a lot from what I have seen on CC:
- Money earned from work. People seem to think they should not answer this as the money has been included in the AGI already. But the answer to this question is used to calculate allowances generated only by money earned from work. Primarily SS and medicare taxes. These allowances REDUCE your EFC. So not answering the question makes your EFC higher!!
- WS and/or taxable scholarships included in the AGI. Again this seems to throw people as they already reported the money in the AGI. But the answer to this question is used to REDUCE income before the EFC is calculated. Not **answering **it will make your EFC higher!</p>
<p>There are reasons for the questions. Some of them are used to exclude certain items from your EFC calculation. Answer the questions. It is not rocket science.</p>