<p>That $300,000 in assets is generating almost $14,000 in EFC. If there’s money in your student’s name, that will really drive it up. At this point in time, you’ll be hard pressed to improve upon it. You may want to make changes now and give up on any hope of financial help for the upcoming year. However, if you have already filed your FAFSA, then you’ve already set a baseline. ugh.</p>
<p>As for community colleges, I’ve taught at a community college and found the students to be very good. Not the stereotypical slackers that make us cringe at the thought of sending our students there. The CC’s are always a good fall-back position. Now of course much depends upon your local CC. I’m sure there are some, as with all schools, where you would not send your student.</p>