If an older sibling is in their fifth year of college and parents are paying - does that count as part of the financial aid decision for the younger sibling entering college? A sixth year? What if the older sibling is doing a five year BS/MS program? In the fifth year of that kind of program would that count in the EFC calculation for the younger sibling? Thank you.
Usually once a student is innthe masters part of a BS/MS program, that student is considered independent for financial aid purposes…so would not be BOE to be counted in a younger siblings college count.
If the older sibling is under age 24 during their college year, and is still in undergrad school, then yes…they would be counted.
If the sibling is 24 during a school year, that sibling again would be independent and would not usually be counted in the younger sibling count.
BUT…you need to inquire with each college…because YMMV regarding this. Some WILL continue to count the older sibling…in a masters or over age 24 if that sibling is still a household member.
Thank you very much @thumper1 !