<p>I’m with Justamom. If anyone thinks spending money like crazy and throwing your mercies on financial aid is good strategy, that person is nuts. THere is absolutely no guarantee you will get a sizeable award of any sort even if you have need. Most schools are not need blind and gap terribly. Those that are need blind tend to be very selective. Also income is really the main thing that directs financial aid, unless assets are pretty danged large. If you have that much money hoarded away, you should consider using it for school unless education is not important to you. Then why should the government and the school pay for you?</p>
<p>Cactus, there are hundreds of things that make no sense in FAFSA. This is a minor thing compared to some of the madness. Rockefellow kids are eligible for govt funds if one of them is not the custodial parent, for instance.</p>