<p>In the Financial Aid instructions, it says that families making less than $100,000 have a reduced parent contribution and families making less than $60,000 have no parent contribution.</p>
<p>If in 2008, my family made $63,000, but in 2009, my family made less than $60,000, would I have a parent contribution? If so, how much would it be around?</p>
<p>I know I am a long way from even getting into Columbia, but my parents keep worrying about costs and are trying to prevent me from applying to "expensive" schools.</p>
<p>Your family contribution would be extremely minimal, if anything. Almost certainly less than the final cost of attending state schools in most instances (excluding some scholar programs). I know for myself in Florida that Bright Futures would have only covered tuition. That still leaves housing, meal plan, car (would have been essential in Florida), insurance, books, and a little for entertainment, none of which would have been covered. That means that even at my least expensive state school option it would still have cost upwards of 10 grand. Columbia (and other “expensive” schools) have financial aid programs that often times make them the less expensive to attend for those of us who receive financial aid than “affordable” schools. But seriously worry first about your academic application, second about your financial aid. For the most part Columbia and schools like it take care of their admits, theyll want you to attend.</p>