or

3. If your parents make 100k+, but through financial stupidity, have nothing saved up for your education and no disposable income.

Happened to me. Here is a financial tidbit for anyone out there... don't buy a $40k car every two years. They tend to depreciate severely and leave you with nothing to show for it and a big monthly car payment. </bitter>

"1. If your parents make 100k+ but don't want to spend it on your education, you're screwed."

With tuition and expenses running 40k+ a year, I think that could put a crimp in the budget of a family making a little more than 100k+.

I don't know how much you paid for your school -- but with math like that I'm sure you paid too much.

But anyway, how the heck can you blame the kid if the parents are tight with their money?

Assuming you'd be expected to pay full tuition and board, which you surely would not.

I did after the first two years.

In case #1, were you better off before this change?

It is possible to become not-a-dependent through paperwork-fu, also, in which case a student would qualify if they make under $100k (likely).

If your parents make $101k, they don't charge you full price.

"2. If you're not a spoiled only child and your parents have to divide that money up then you're screwed."

Financial aid calculations typically take siblings into account.

Didn't for several of my sisters, FYI.

Did for my family, again FYI. My sister's financial aid package nearly doubled when I went to college, and mine dropped off fairly significantly in my last year when she graduated. Rice and Amherst.

Lets say your dad makes 55k and your mom makes 55k, I think your family would save a ton overall by having your mom or dad take an early retirement.