Excluding Real Estate Equity for EFC Calculation

Agree. And, OP, you are a business owner. You could open an individual 401(K), which has MUCH higher annual limits than an employee 401(k). In 2022 you can contribute (tax-deferred and shielded from FA calculation) up to $61,000! You could have been doing that every year.

Details of solo 401k plans | Vanguard.

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