<p>Very few schools meet your full need, by whatever formula is used.</p>
<p>So even though savings are assessed at a small amount (5.6%) you will be in much better shape to pay for college without a ton of loans.</p>
<p>For example, $100,000 in a 529 would raise your expected contribution by $5600, but you have $25,000 per year that you can use.</p>
<p>Families without that 529 will have a lower EFC, but chance are all they will get offered is loans to cover that $5600. And, they don’t have the $25,000/year.</p>