<p>If you have $60K in the bank under your own name, that could substantially reduce eligibility for financial aid, unless your parents are poor enough to qualify for simplified needs analysis. It’s possible that you can shelter some of it by putting it into a 529 account – but you need advice of a someone more knowledgeable than me about that. But potentially that can push your EFC up by $12,000 over and above the amount it would otherwise be. If you are still working and have comparatively high earnings, that could push your EFC up even higher.</p>
<p>Since you are going to Barnard for an interview, I would advise that you get as much info about your parents financial status as you can, and arrange to meet with someone in the financial aid office while you are there. They may be able to give you a much better explanation as to how that money would impact any potential financial aid. </p>
<p>I think that you are mistaken to assume that you wouldn’t get better aid at any other private college. It depends, but when you throw the possibility of merit aid into the equation, you could have a very nice package somewhere, especially outside of NY. </p>
<p>When you say your parents are low-income, what do you mean by “low”? Are your parents together? Are they currently employed?</p>