<p>Does anyone have a sense of what the cutoff for getting non-loan FA is based on assets and AGI? I read somewhere that the 100-100 rule indicates that an AGI over 100K with assets over 100K yields zero FA eligibility? </p>
<p>Also, doesn’t filling out the CSS and sending it cost something? I think FAFSA is free but not the CSS?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Finaid expert Mark Kantrowitz uses an “informal income threshold” or “rule of thumb” for a family of 4, with one in college and “typical” assets to be about $180,000. With 2 in college his “rule of thumb” is $250,000…</p>
<p>[Baby</a>, You’re a Rich Man - WSJ.com](<a href=“Baby, You're a Rich Man - WSJ”>Baby, You're a Rich Man - WSJ)</p>
<p>Is that income or assets?</p>
<p>There isn’t an answer. Much depends on the school.</p>
<p>Dukedad’s situation involves the schools that give the very best aid…like HYPS. Most schools would be giving loans to those earning far less than that. Many schools don’t give ANY “free money” to those earning about $150k (or less) with only one in college. And that would be with zero assets.</p>
<p>And, most schools don’t meet need, either!</p>
<p>Also, many schools only have a “no loan” policy for those earning about $60k or below with modest assets.</p>
<p>Since most schools include loans in the FA pkg, anyone who’s determined to have about a $50k “family contribution”, would have the rest of “need” filled with student loans and maybe work study.</p>
<p>So much depends on the college FA policies and your specific family circumstances beyond AGI (eg. number in school) that generalities are not very helpful and can be very misleading. This is particularly true if like many families you’re in the FA middle ground, not below the 60k threshold and not extremely high income.</p>
<p>The best thing to do is run the NPCs for the schools you’re interested in.</p>