<p>How do you determine the amount to put in for parent contribution. Will the colleges expect that as a minimum and go up from there? Or is it taken at face value?</p>
<p>You insert assets and income. The colleges then calculate expected parent’s contribution towards college expenses. It may vary from college to college.</p>
<p>I just realized that you were asking about a question on the form that apparently asks what a parent thinks they can pay. I didn’t know that question was asked. I don’t believe that would have much impact on the decisionmaking process by the colleges. There are calculators on the web that allow you to estimate expected family contribution. It varies between the fafsa and the profile. In any case, I’d pick a number that is not so low that it looks like you would need too much aid from the college and your parents are trying to avoid responsibility, and a number that is not so high that it looks like you don’t need the aid.</p>