<p>I am not sure if you have a correct understanding of how schools calculate EFC when you say schools are “more inclined” to use student assets. They will assume a certain percentage of both student and parental savings are available to pay for college, not either/or. If the funds are somewhat flexible such as a bank savings/checking account and not in a trust in your name, for example, in general, it is better for significant student assets to actually be held by the parents rather than the student.</p>
<p>For example, using round numbers, a school might assume 5% of parental savings/assets and 30% of student assets are available for school expenses. Using the following example:</p>
<p>Parental Savings/Assets: $40,000
Student Savings/Assets: $10,000</p>
<p>the school might calculate a contribution towards EFC of $5,000 from the combined parental/student savings ($40k x .05 = $2k; $10k x .3 = $3k).</p>
<p>On the other hand, if the distribution were as follows:</p>
<p>Parental Savings/Assets: $48,000
Student Savings/Assets: $2,000</p>
<p>The school might calculate a contribution towards EFC of $3,000 ($48k x .05 = $2,400; $2k x .3 = $600).</p>
<p>So you can see given the same total savings/assets, the distribution of assets between the amounts held in the parent’s and student’s names can affect the EFC.</p>