The financial forms really require your parents commitment. The questions you ask should be directed at them. If you are getting blown off by them then make sure you have your in state affordable school optimised. You are not in the high stats range to get big merit, or admission to generous endowment schools, and like as not you will not be offered FA of any significance, if any. You need to make sure you have a realistic plan. 100K before tax means your folks are not going to be able to pay OOS rates for you from their income. If literally they have zero savings, zero investments, zero 529, zero 401K, they are in no position to borrow either.