<p>After filing the FAFSA this year, I ran the calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) The collegeboard calculator was to-the-dollar accurate for the FAFSA, and the finaid calculator was about 5% higher.</p>
<p>Family income approx. 90k, non-retirement savings within protected limits for parents’ ages, no other assets, one kid in college, EFC approx. 20k </p>
<p>Have your dad print out the paper version of the FAFSA calculations from [2010-11</a> Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Formula Guide](<a href=“http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2009/eaefcguide111709.html]2010-11”>http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2009/eaefcguide111709.html) and work through it all by hand. This should be give your family a more accurate figure for the 2011-2012 FAFSA.</p>