College Financial Aid Planning
Individuals who want to attend college but cannot afford the costs outright must find alternative funding through various types of financial aid. Many factors affect eligibility for federal financial aid; therefore, all students should apply for financial aid every year even if they think they do not otherwise qualify.
FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. Students use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study.
The FAFSA must be submitted for each year the student wants financial aid.
Income tax return. If the student (or parents) needs to file an income tax return with the IRS, it is recommended that it is completed before filling out the FAFSA.
Expected Family Contribution. The questions on the FAFSA are required to calculate the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC measures the student's family's financial strength and is used to determine the student's eligibility for federal student aid. The EFC is split between an expected amount contributed from the student (usually more) and an expected amount being contributed from the parents.
Student Aid Report. A student's EFC will be listed on their Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR summarizes the information submitted on the student's FAFSA.
Financial need. Financial need is the difference between the EFC and the college's cost of attendance (which can include living expenses), as determined by the college. The college will use the student's EFC to prepare a financial aid package to help meet financial need.
Need analysis formula. To determine financial need, a need analysis formula measures the parents' and student's assets and income. Assets are measured as follows:
- Assets in the student's name are assessed at a maximum rate of 20%, whereas parents'assets are assessed at a maximum rate of 12%.
- The assets of other children are not considered by the need analysis formula.
- Specific types of property (automobiles, computers, furniture, books, clothing and school supplies, boats, and appliances) do not count as assets.
- Retirement funds and pensions are generally not considered assets.
- Annuities and life insurance policies are generally not considered assets.
- Small businesses owned and controlled by the student's family are excluded as assets. However, a partnership where the family owns 50% of the business is not excluded.
- Consumer debt (such as a credit card balance) is not counted against assets and income.
- Only debt secured by property (mortgage on home or business loan for equipment) is counted against assets and income.
Planning Strategies
Income Strategies
- Avoid selling items that will produce a capital gain during the base year (first year of financial aid application) because capital gains are treated like income.
- Avoid taking money out of a retirement fund to pay for educational expenses. In general, retirement funds are not counted as an asset in the need analysis formula. However, if distributions are made, this converts
College Financial Aid Planning
a sheltered asset into an included asset.Therefore, it is more beneficial to spend down cash in a bank account first.
• Reduce parents' income to increase eligibility for fi
nancial aid when parents' AGI is close to $50,000. If
the parents' AGI is under $50,000, then the family may
qualify for the Simplified Needs Test (SNT) which dis
regards assets when determining the EFC.
Asset Strategies
- Avoid saving money in the student's name. Assets should be saved in the parents' name because parents' assets are assessed at a much lower rate for determining need (12% for parent versus 20% for student).
- A section 529 college savings plan saved in the parents' name has minimal impact on financial aid eligibility, and one owned by a grandparent has no impact on the student's eligibility.
- Avoid paying the student a salary from the family business.
- Spending down the student's assets, preferably within the first year, before using any parent asset will leave the family with the most money left over after graduation.
- Put parent assets in the name of another sibling not in college because assets of other children are not considered by the need analysis formula.
- Buy necessary purchases prior to applying for financial aid. Specific types of property (automobiles, computers, furniture, books, clothing and school supplies, boats, and appliances) do not count as assets.
- Grandparents who wish to pay for college should pay money directly to the school to avoid increasing parental or student assets by giving money to them outright. Or, if the grandparents wait until the child has graduated, they could pay off the student loans instead.
- Make maximum contributions to retirement funds because these assets are not considered by the need-based formula.
- Buy life insurance policies or tax-deferred annuities because these assets are not considered by the need-based formula.
This brochure contains general information for taxpayers and
should not be relied upon as the only source of authority.
Taxpayers should seek professional tax advice for more information.
Copyright© 2019Tax Materials, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Consumer Debt
Paying off credit card debt and automobile loans will increase eligibility for financial aid by reducing available cash.
Mortgage Debt
To maximize eligibility for financial aid, reduce cash and other assets by prepaying mortgage debt. In addition, parents could take out a home equity line of credit each year to pay for the student's school expenses. Interest payments would be tax deductible and the loan would reduce assets considered by the need-based formula.
Change in Financial Circumstances
A student should contact his or her financial aid office if the student or his or her family has unusual circumstances that should be taken into account in determining financial need. Some examples of unusual circumstances are unusual medical or dental expenses or a large change in income from last year to this year.
Non-Federal Assistance
Information about other non-federal assistance may be available from foundations, religious organizations, community organizations, and civic groups, as well as organizations related to a student's field of interest, such as the American Medical Association or American Bar Association. Check with the parents' employers or unions to see if they award scholarships or have tuition payment plans.
Independent Status
If a student is considered an independent, he or she does not have to include any parental income or assets on the FAFSA application. A student is considered an independent if he or she:
- Gets married before submitting the FAFSA.
- Attains age 24.
