<p>cpt - Wow! This is the first time I have heard of retirement funds being tapped by FA offices. I have twins who are rising seniors so I have not yet dealt directly with a school’s actual FA, but I have used many Net Price Calculators. It seemed to me that they all specifically stated the exclusion of retirement funds, but it certainly is possible that my eyes glazed over after the first dozen or so and I just assumed that it was there. They almost seem designed to be confusing.</p>
<p>Is the inclusion of retirement funds a new trend? Are the number of schools that consider retirement funds a small minority, or have I missed something big? Do they treat parents’ IRAs and students’ IRA differently?</p>
<p>To me, it would seem unethical for them to require applicants to withdraw funds that could entail severe negative tax consequences (especially since money is already tight during college years).</p>
<p>I apologize for possibly hijacking the thread, but this is something that worries me.</p>