<p>It’s more complicated than just 1/4 income like you are guessing. Go to
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator - Finaid)
and ask your parents to help you to fill in the numbers. Things like money in the bank, age of parents, other assets, all play a big part. Someone with $80 in income and no “college” savings but other assets (rental properties, lots of investments) is in a different situation than parents with $80k in income and nothing else.
Private colleges will sometimes take into account a family helping to support other family members. They have a great deal of leeway in deciding how to look at the numbers.<br>
I agree with those who have advised you to talk to your school guidance counselor - he or she should know where past graduates went (especially to Catholic colleges) and how they fared in the fin.aid department. They should also be able to identify schools where you might qualify for merit scholarships.</p>