<p>^^^^ that is a common problem, for most people. THe only answer we get is that if the second goes to college and overlaps, then FAFSA lowers your EFC substantially. True. But its brutal. Neither FAFSA nor the colleges give one tooty about whether you have one kid, three kids or ten kids. To them, its all THEIR money if you have it to shell out. Thus our choice is a cold shower: give them the money and roll the dice on your other kids, or go to a less expensive state school or lower tier private who gave you money, and take the lumps. Its an elitist system for certain.</p>
<p>I know a particular story where grandparents who were loaded sent grandkids to private prep schools and paid tuition for mom and dad for 12 years, all over 10k a year, and I wonder if they even notified the IRS under the gift tax laws…and then when the kids went to college the parents filed FAFSA, said NOTHING about loaded grandparents, and got HUGE financial aid. Is that fair? Of course there is no law requiring granny to pay for college. But still…</p>
<p>Its an unfair system. But it is what it is. I wish I could tell you Fordham is worth the money. It is…but I also understand your predicament and decision to go elsewhere. </p>
<p>Congress could fix this with a stroke of the pen. But they won’t.</p>