<p>is 17000. I am a single parent with one child. My income is 68000. Does this seem correct? Also, I just updated my FAFSA form. How do I updated the CSS? I don't think it's possible. Don't you just send new information to schools?</p>
<p>Seems a little high if just based on an AGI of 67,000.</p>
<p>Some possible reasons it may be high:</p>
<p>-Any current year contributions to a retirement account will be added back to income and used to calculate the EFC</p>
<p>-Do you have assets? Single parents have little asset protection, then 5.6% goes to EFC. </p>
<ul>
<li>Does your child have income or assets? Those will impact the EFC. The student has no asset protection and 20% of assets go to the EFC. After income protection (around $5700) 50% of a student’s income goes to the EFC.</li>
</ul>
<p>If none of those things apply then you should double check that you have not made any errors.</p>
<p>CSS cannot be updated online.</p>
<p>Actually, my AGI is 46,000. The number I gave was including my retirement contributions. I do have assets in stocks and my daughter’s 529. Not huge amount, less than $50,000. I don’t see how I could have messed up the FAFSA numbers as it really is pretty straightforward, and I get my taxes done professionally ;)</p>
<p>Hmm. EFC seems a little high for 67,000 income and that level of assets (if student has no income/assets).</p>
<p>
I agree. But you’d be surprised at how many people do mess it up by not answering the questions as asked. Not reporting income from work where asked, reporting 529 accounts as student assets, things like that.</p>
<p>If you say it seems a bit high, what do you think it should be? I guess I will go back and re-read my numbers again from the FAFSA form. Maybe I did mess up, but I really don’t think so. Ugh.</p>
<p>Here is a link to the EFC formula if you want to try working through it yourself</p>
<p>[IFAP</a> - EFC Formula Guide](<a href=“http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.html]IFAP”>http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/101310EFCFormulaGuide1112.html)</p>
<p>I ran your numbers through the EFC calculator on finaid.org. Even though the calculator is a couple of years out of date I would have expected your EFC to be more around the 12,000 ish mark</p>
<p>I just re read my FAFSA form and failed to mention that I do get child support that STOPS at the end of her high school. This will not be paid in 2011 for college but I guess it has to be included in the form. Hopefully, they will take into account that in the state of Maryland child support ends at 18 and/or the end of high school. All of the other numbers look good, so I am still stumped. Oh, well, it’s all good. My child has gotten into every school she has applied to so far.</p>
<p>You will have to report the child support on FAFSA, then ask the school for a special circumstances adjustment for loss of income as it is ending.</p>
<p>Okay, do I ask now while they are “working” on financial aid OR after I get the information? What is the best time to do this? Also, Tufts is now asking for IDOC information which isn’t a problem. Now, my daughter’s dad is also going to have to do this. Since we filled out forms separately (we’re divorced), we can send in our IDOC papers separtely too, right? Thanks in advance for all of your help!</p>
<p>It seems like when there is only one adult in the home, EFC seems to “jump” for those with middle class incomes. We’ve seen that a few times here. If your family consisted of 2 adults and 1 child, your EFC would be a bit lower, I think. </p>
<p>I think it’s because there is a greater “allowance” for adults.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s correct.</p>
<p>Good, point I guess. On another note, unless this other adult is unable to work, there salary would be figured into the equation. I don’t see how two adults would change the EFC for the better. If anything, it seems like it would do the opposite.</p>