<p>thumper -- actually, some college do ask how bills are being paid. As a returning adult student with a husband and two kids, my EFC has been zero for the past 2 years. I have been audited both times and since our income is so low, each time I have had to answer paperwork regarding how we pay our bills -- along with proof (lease agreements with amount and cancelled checks, utility bills, etc). We barely make it, but I had to prove that we could make it and that I wasn't hiding support or other income. Just any FYI (and this has been at 2 schools, community college and state college)</p>