<p>As many private colleges do, one that we are applying to has it's own financial aid application form (in addition to requiring the FAFSA). One question on the university's own form is "Please indicate the amount that you and your family can contribute to your 2007-2008 college costs" WOW - talk about a loaded question! How are you supposed to answer this?? Our FAFSA generated an EFC of $34K....income for 2006 was skewed because of 2 bonuses which will likely not be repeated. Running the FAFSA estimate based on 2005 income figures returned an EFC of $14K....more like reality. What the FAFSA-generated EFC for 2006 says ($34K) is not possible for us to do. Advice please?</p>
<p>Even if the rise was because of bonuses, you'll have to pay the EFC this year and then it will go down if your income does. At schools that meet 100% of need that is.</p>
<p>Estimate conservatively (low). Use the calculators to find your Profile EFC and make sure your estimate of what you "can afford" is somewhat less than that. If the parent's income in '06 skewed the EFC higher, I'd go with the '05 EFC (14K).</p>
<p>Danger is if you give an estimate higher than the EFC, the school may take you up on your "offer."</p>
<p>This college does not use the Profile form, they have their own version of financial aid application form in addition to FAFSA. If I put what I realistically feel is a doable contribution amount on the college form, it will be way less that the FAFSA amount. Will the school's fin aid reviewer just laugh and toss it aside, or do they expect to see parents who just can not meet what the FAFSA recommends?</p>
<p>name your price? </p>
<p>$0.00</p>
<p>If they ask loaded questions give them loaded answers...learned that the hard way.</p>
<p>With a high EFC, I think the only reason to put $0 is if you are planning on paying for college out of savings that is in your kid's name. Otherwise, you should probably put some figure in there that you think you can swing.</p>