<p>Not that new. Boston College out and out admits they include 401K and other such plan assets, but demurred when asked how.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone is trying to game any system putting money into retirement plans. The whole idea is to put your money on retirement plans before you put them in your kids’ college plans. I agree that those who have amounts that a college deems “excessive”, they will tap it. The key question is “what is excessive” and you won’t get an answer to that. It’ll depend on age, amount, other assets and how much money they might have. I doubt a college will share their formula. </p>
<p>I have no idea how a college will view a prospective college student with an IRA. </p>
<p>However, that is why you apply to a variety of schools when you need or want money, as different schools treat these things differently.</p>