Health Savings Account--Will Colleges Look at This?

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>Currently, we are looking at the Health Savings Accounts. The $5000 deductible is no problem for us; we only want protection from major diseases, accidents, and the like (my parents are healthy). The benefit that we saw, was that the HSA are similar to IRAs and that we can match our deductible in the HSA and have it grow tax free (also, the premiums are very low). Being self employed, this is advantageous. </p>

<p>If my parents, match the deductible, by inputting $5000 a year in the HSA, which would help lower our income, would colleges look at this negatively? Do colleges even care? Currently, my parents do not have IRA accounts. </p>

<p>I know that funds in IRA accounts, before college, are safeguarded, but funds that are put into IRAs yearly while in college are not. Is this the same for HSA accounts?</p>

<p>I asked a similar question to my son's college and they said we didn't need to account for the health savings account on our FAFSA.</p>