Your expected contribution will be based on your income in 2019 and your reportable assets as of the day you completed the financial aid forms. You mention your income (and that of your new spouse), but you say nothing about your reportable assets. Do you have savings or investments (including real estate) outside of qualified retirement accounts? HMom16 mentioned student loans and earnings while you are a student. Is there any reason that you do not have access to student loans or will not be able to work and contribute earnings to your college expenses? My initial sense is that asking a 35 year old student to kick in $13k for a year at Amherst is not unreasonable.
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