Guardianship account

My husband died a few years ago and left my daughter some money in his life insurance policy. This was put into a guardianship account with me, my daughter and the court until she’s 18. She will start college at 17. We are filling out the css now and I’m unsure if I’m supposed to add it to her assets. Any advice?

The answer is almost certainly yes, the account does need to be reported on financial aid forms as your daughter’s asset. An exception would be if there is a court restriction in force that limits the use of the money to something other than education, before your daughter turns 18.