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FAFSA, 401k, and EFC?

Last year, we had issues with our FAFSA and after my college fixed things up, the question about retirement funds was listed as 0. I did not catch this last year because I assumed the college fixed it correctly.

This year, adding my parent's retirement funds 401K, the estimated EFC jumped from 4,000 to 14,000.

I am very confused as to whether I made a mistake, the college made a mistake, or the estimated EFC is just way off. My parent's combined income is 40,000.

I'm very concerned about my grants right now, please give me advice.

3 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Only the annual contribution to a 401K should be on the FAFSA, not the full value of the retirement account. I'd take a look at your numbers. Retirement funds are not considered liquid assets. However, if your parent took a payment in part or in full from a retirement account that IS income. If they rolled it to another account, it has to have been rolled over within the prescribed period to not be considered as income.

    Source(s): I have been a college enrollment and financial aid counselor for 28 years.
  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Did you declare your self to boot? because you cant the two declare you interior the comparable 3 hundred and sixty 5 days. you're able to contain their fee rate reductions and earnings counsel however in the event that they at the instant are not assisting with financing your preparation (even nevertheless in case you reside with them they're contributing lots for my area!) yet it truly is why you're able to contain their counsel no count number what: Independency and dependency is set by using the US branch of preparation and is no longer in line with the place you reside or while you're claimed on your determine’s tax return. For federal and state economic help, you're able to contain your determine’s earnings counsel till you turn 24 years old, get married, have a newborn or different based, are a U.S. veteran, grow to be an orphan, or are (or have been) a ward of the courtroom till the age of 18.

  • 8 years ago

    The best thing to do would be to talk to your schools financial aid office that way they can explain it better and clear the problem up then and there. Good luck!

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