<p>Thumper is right…</p>
<p>Your savings is within protected limits. If it exceeded that amount, then only 5.6% of the exceeded amount would get considered.</p>
<p>As Thumper mentioned, income is what largely affects EFC.</p>
<p>**
Also…don’t get confused about EFC**. EFC is NOT the most you’ll have to pay. EFC is just a FEDERAL number. Colleges don’t have to do ANYTHING with that number except see if you qualify for Pell Grants (mostly for low incomes) and small student loans.</p>
<p>**
The words “Estimated Family Contribution” are very misleading **and really need to be changed. It sounds like that all a family has to pay…so not true!!!</p>
<p>So, even if you end up with an affordable EFC number, that does NOT mean that colleges are going to give you the difference. Most colleges do NOT have much aid to give. </p>
<p>**There’s a misconception that colleges charge a “sliding scale” based on EFC. That’s not true in most cases. ** Only top schools that can afford to meet need…most schools gap!</p>
<p>What colleges are you looking at?</p>
<p>Quick EFC - this is a rough estimate -
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | QuickEFC](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Quick EFC - Finaid)</p>