<p>I'm confused. What's the purpose of listing cars, their make and model, their cost and purchase dates on css profile? Do colleges expect parents to sell their automobiles to fund college?</p>
<p>Er... I didn't have to list that informaton on any forms related to the profile. I've never seen that quesiton asked and I've done the Profile for at least a dozen school. It must be one of those additional set of questions required by your specific school. </p>
<p>That's too bad, actually, it would be kind of fun to list my old clunker. </p>
<p>I do think that a question about makes & models of vehicles would flush out some cases of families who are not as poor as they look. So while I don't think that the college would expect the family to sell the Chevy, it gives a glimpse of the family's lifestyle. Presumeably a middle class family who need financial aid isn't going to be driving around in a new Mercedes.</p>
<p>The main FA form is the FAFSA. Equity in the family home is not considered an asset for the purpose of Finan aid (this is a good thing). Consumer debt such as car loans and credit cards are not considered a liability for the purpose of Finan aid (this is a bad thing). </p>
<p>Now, of course a family who is up to their eyeballs in credit card debt is less able to pay tuition, but as far as the FAFSA is concerned, that is just too bad. Colleges don't have to use the EFC generated from the FAFSA. The CSS/Profile and other forms ask these kinds of questions so that the college can a more complete picture of your financial situation.</p>
<p>I think I'd remember that question as we drive two 8 year old bottom of the line Fords. Even given which our financial aid award was minimal.</p>
<p>One of D's colleges had it as a supplemental question on the profile/css (I'm thinking Colgate). It was kind of funny. I wanted to put we don't have automobiles. We have pickups.</p>
<p>Yeah, that car question is on that Profile form!
At least it was 2 years ago when I laughed as I listed our two old clunkers. WE sure aren't 'hiding' our wealth in our cars!!!
Now, I'll get to relist the same two (now even older) cars this year since our son is considering a transfer for junior year.<br>
I probably can honestly list my 13 year old minivan's value as 0.
Or maybe $300..... what is that, a few books?</p>
<p>It's supplemental asked on the profile by many schools. They're trying to see if your lifestyle and financials line up. If you claim 80K per year but drive an '04 S Class, then they know they need to do a little more poking around.</p>
<p>Musicmom, We had to give up on our thirteen old year old minivan last month and $300 is precisely what we got for it. I was happy to be able to take S1 to college in the same vehicle I'd used to pick him up from kindergarten! (I only wish I could do the same for S2.)</p>
<p>naturall:</p>
<p>R U sure it's not a specific college supplement? (I could not find any request for auto info on the basic Profile, and did not enter any such data on the Profile completed last Nov.)</p>
<p>1moremom: kindergarten to college, quite a feat!
Do they still make them to hold together that long anymore? I'm hoping this one will make it to 15....when son is DONE college. Probably asking toooo much. </p>
<p>I'm doing the FAFSA today.....what a way to spend a Sunday.</p>
<p>the original PRofile we filled out asked for it
however subsequent profiles did not
I believe that when you tell the PROFILE which college you are submitting for- it pulls up pertinent questions so it would be different for ea</p>
<p>Kinda sucks for me then...We're driving around a 2005 Dodge Neon and two 2006 Dodge Durangos.</p>
<p>/The joys of a parent working for Chrysler</p>