Comparing information of FAFSA and CSS Profile

<p>Do they compare the information on the FAFSA to the CSS Profile? A client has filed her daughter's FAFSA for fall 2012-2013, listing $200,000 in her checking account as college savings. Since she still needs to file a CSS Profile, I suggested her to move that $200,000 into some other savings vehicle (possibly an annuity) to shelter it from being assessed for the EFC. Would they compare the asset information from the already submitted FAFSA (with $200,000 in checking account) and compare it to the CSS (from checking account to annuity)? Which information would they use then?</p>

<p>Do they compare the information on the FAFSA to the CSS Profile?</p>

<p>of course they do!! </p>

<p>I suggested her to move that $200,000 into some other savings vehicle (possibly an annuity) to shelter it from being assessed for the EFC.</p>

<p>that is a really, really bad idea. It boarders on Fraud. She might as well not apply at all if she tries to submit 2 different sets of asset numbers.</p>

<p>Which information would they use then?
The FAFSA, if they dont throw out the entire application first.</p>

<p>I don’t think moving it would help anyway. Perhaps you should discuss this with an accountant who specializes in college funding… or more to the point… perhaps your client should.</p>

<p>Thanks for the quick answers!</p>

Just make a new one with your specific questions when you have them. You need to be careful about making investments or purchases when it doesn’t make sense on their own. There is a credible columnist at Forbes who specialized in college aid strategies, perhaps reading a few might clarify things. You can estimate EFC.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/troyonink/2014/11/04/consumers-beware-the-truth-about-life-insurance-annuities-and-college-financial-aid/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/troyonink/2010/12/16/bad-college-advice-stash-your-childs-assets-in-an-annuity/