<p>brown14: the 10% rule covers the entire cost of one year, roughly $50K. (this assumes room, board, tuition, books & travel) Assuming your family assets are normal and income is $100k, your parents’ contribution would roughly be $10k. You would also be assumed to contribute about another $2800 each year towards the entire cost too. This is easily covered by student employment (avg 7 hrs/week) during the year. Since the $50K includes items like books and travel, what amount your parents actually write on their check to Yale might even be less than $10K.</p>