<p>AGI is not after taxes are taken out – this is the number at the bottom of the first page on your tax form. It is income (I think most forms of income, including investment, unemployment, earned, etc) and then you subtract out a few things (student loan interest, ira deductions, alimony paid, etc). this yields your AGI. Pull out your 2006 tax forms to find last years.</p>
<p>You can find out what the SSS formula says you can pay by requesting it when you file – it costs about $12. I know, because I have filed an SSS the past two years and I was told what the formula said by the two schools my older son attended. I also use this calculator (using institutional method) to get an estimate: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>
<p>if you use the calculator, remember that is it only and estimate AND that the numbers have to be accurate. don’t guess – have your tax forms in front of you when you fill it out.</p>