<p>The FAFSA form, if I remember correctly (and if I remembered the initials correctly!) asks if you own a car and what make and model it is. Is owning a car considered a necessary expense for parents, and therefore taken into consideration when colleges decide how much aid to give you? (We don't have one and are considering buying.)</p>
<p>FAFSA does not ask about whether you own a car.</p>
<p>You might be thinking of the Profile, which also does not ask that question -- but the Profile will sometimes ask additional questions depending on what schools you are applying to -- and some schools do ask for that information. Yes, owning a car is considered a necessary expense -- the reason the Profile is asking make & model (and year) is that owning a brand new Mercedes isn't nearly as "necessary" as, say, an old Toyota.</p>
<p>Thanks--I couldn't remember which one asked. It's just that with two kids in college, we don't have much extra, and actually can't afford a car if the colleges cut our financial aid.</p>
<p>As long as you are driving either an older model car or a modest (economy or compact) car if it is newer, you shouldn't have a problem. If there's a brand new Porsche sitting in your driveway, that's a different situation entirely. So if you need to get a replacement vehicle right now for any reason....go for a used car.</p>