<p>Approximately how much does your family have to make to not qualify for financial aid anymore?</p>
<p>I live in a family of four. I know my mom makes appoximately $120,000 a year. But my dad does not have a job as of now. I'm not sure how much our assets and stuff are worth. They are also sending my brother to a pretty expensive private school for high school next year. Do you think I would qualify for any financial aid at all?</p>
<p>You may qualify for some aid. Try the calculator at FinAid and see what your approx EFC is. If the EFC is less than the total cost of your prospective colleges, your potential aid is the difference between the two figures. But remember that many colleges "gap" (don't meet full aid), and that aid packages typically include student loans.</p>
<p>Best to apply, regardless.</p>
<p>It all depends on assets as well so it is hard to determine. My son's counselor has always said that to receive good financial aid that income is usually under $40,000. We make about half what your mom makes and only qualified for loans, no grants. But we do have a few decent assets so that makes a difference. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Do you know about merit money? Since you might not qualify for much need-based aid, maybe you should concentrate on a list that includes some good merit money schools...</p>
<p>finaid EFC calculator is pretty accurate. <a href="http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml</a></p>
<p>You will certainly not qualify for federal aid with that income. My D is going to a STate U and our income is way lower - we qualified for some federal and State aid and the balance (other than some merit money) is all loans and WS. Private schools may take into account your brothers expensive high school - but I don't know what difference it would make. As weenie said - look for schools where you might qualify for merit money.</p>
<p>I heard from the counselor people make up to $150K qualify for some sort of aid. Actually my coworker also told me that his niece got $9K aid from JHU while her father is also a doctor, ie making good money.</p>
<p>Swimcatsmom gave you good advice - ask your parents to help you run the numbers through that estimation program. Your mom makes a nice income but you might get some aid depending on assets (how much your parents have in savings and investments) and if there is more than one student in the family in college. Some private colleges will consider your brother's tuition for high school - search through the parent thread also for info about FAFSA, Profile how schools "package" your aid. Not every school you apply to will see you as having the same need, and even if they do, they will not give you the same amount of loans, scholarships and work/study. Good luck - we parents are proud that you are working for yourself to find this information!</p>
<p>look for colleges which offer merit scholarships for which you are well qualified.</p>
<p>Try To Give Your Parents & Yourself a Tuition Break!</p>
<p>Get a copy of 'How to Pay for College Without Going Broke' either the 2007 edition which is out now or the 2008 edition, which will be out in October, it is published by <a href="http://www.princetonreview.com%5B/url%5D">www.princetonreview.com</a>. Also, look for schools where you may qualify for merit aid such is those profiled by Loren Pope at <a href="http://www.ctcl.com%5B/url%5D">www.ctcl.com</a> and get to book, 'Peterson's Smart Choices: Honors Programs & College' 4th Edition, at <a href="http://www.peterson.com%5B/url%5D">www.peterson.com</a>.</p>