@Twoin18 - our experience was 36%. With an AGI of $141,000 we were given an EFC of $51,350 at top Top 10 school that meets full need without loans. We had a very slightly higher number from another Top 10 that meets full needs but includes loans. This was with a reported $18,800 in medical expenses for the year. Not affordable without parental loans unless we used all 3 kids’ 529 plans.
Both of those are CSS profile schools, so we would have been expcted to contribute only 60% of that when Kiddo #2 entered school or $30,810. Add in another $30,810 for an EFC for a 2nd kiddo and we’re looking at a new EFC that’s a whopping 44% of our AGI. Ridiculous!
Fortunately Kiddo #1 is thriving at an OOS public that threw a lot of love ($$) her way, making it less expensive than even our in-state flatship-runner-up-with-a-good-reputation that gives money. (Flagship is stingy.)
This is so depressing to read. These “full need” colleges are positioning themselves as destinations for only the rich and the poor; middle class need not apply.
To be fair, I have read of some people in your income bracket receiving aid packages that bring the CoA down to public, in-state level.
@Twoin18 Yes that is the problem with having put a lot of money away in 529 plans, the colleges want to use it. If you hadn’t had significant money in 529’s then your EFC would have been much less. Not really fair is it?