<p>On the CSS profile, there's a question that asks:</p>
<p>Enter the total current value of this parent's tax-deferred retirement, pension, annuity, and savings plans. Include IRA, SRA Keogh, SEP, 401(a), 401(k), 403(b), 408, 457, 501(c) plans, etc.</p>
<p>I didn't see this question on the FAFSA or on the collegeboard efc calculator, so I'm curious. What is the effect of this total value on institutional financial aid? How does it figure into EFC?</p>
<p>The question is not on the FAFSA. No one really knows how this number is used, but it is speculated that schools want to see if parents are putting excessive amounts into retirement accounts leaving nothing for college costs…but that is just a guess. The net price calculators don’t ask for this number so it would seem that the schools do not use it in their calculations. This is only a guess, however. BUT answer the question honestly…get the values and put them in.</p>
<p>Okay! Thank you thumper1. Of course I would answer the question honestly :)</p>