Understanding how financial aid and estate planning intersect can make a significant difference when preparing for college expenses. This article will explain how asset ownership influences aid eligibility, offer actionable strategies to increase the chances of receiving aid and highlight estate planning tools that can protect your wealth while optimizing support for your child’s education.
FAFSA and Asset Ownership: The Basics
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, evaluates a student’s financial need based on several factors, including family income and assets. However, not all assets are created equal in the eyes of FAFSA. How those assets are owned—by the parent, the student, or even a third party—can significantly impact financial aid eligibility.
Here’s the key: FAFSA assesses up to 5.64% of parent-owned assets when calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). For student-owned assets, though, that number jumps to a whopping 20%. So, keeping assets out of your student’s name increases their chances of receiving financial aid.
In other words, parent-owned assets are less punitive than student-owned ones. Consider assets like your savings account, investments, or a 529 college savings plan. If you, the parent, own the asset, only 5.64% of its value is considered in the EFC calculation.
But if your child owns assets outright—like in a UGMA or UTMA custodial account— those accounts will be subject to a 20% assessment. For example, if your child has $10,000 in one of these accounts, FAFSA will expect $2,000 to go toward college costs. Ouch.
What can you do? You can’t legally change UGMA/UTMA account ownership because they belong to the child. However, consider using a 529 plan or a parent’s investment account instead for future savings.
Estate Planning Meets FAFSA
Here’s where estate planning comes into play. By structuring your assets wisely, you can minimize their impact on financial aid. Let’s explore a few strategies:
1. Irrevocable Trusts
An irrevocable trust can be a powerful tool in estate planning and remove assets from a person’s estate for tax purposes. However, irrevocable trusts are counted for FAFSA purposes if the student or parent is a beneficiary of an irrevocable trust. Note that the entire value of the trust should not be reported, but the beneficiary’s proportional share must be reported. In addition, if the trust distributes income to the student, that income will be assessed at up to 50%. So, use irrevocable trusts with caution.
2. Retirement Accounts: Hidden Gems
Good news: FAFSA does not count assets in qualified retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and Roth IRAs. This makes retirement savings a double win—you’re preparing for your future in a tax-advantaged manner and protecting your child’s financial aid eligibility.
Pro tip: If you have extra savings that would otherwise count on FAFSA, consider contributing to your retirement account. It’s a FAFSA-friendly way to reduce your countable assets.
3. Pay Down Debt
Another savvy move is using liquid assets to pay down debt, such as mortgages or student loans. Since FAFSA doesn’t count your home’s equity or the balance of your debts, this strategy can reduce your reportable assets without hurting your financial position.
4. Timing Is Everything
FAFSA looks at your financial situation as of the day you file the form. That means you can time certain financial moves to optimize your aid eligibility. For instance, if you plan to sell an investment or receive a large bonus, try to do so after filing FAFSA to avoid inflating your assets or income for that year.
Practical Steps to Take Now
So, what can you do right now to prepare? Here are some actionable steps:
Review Your Assets: List all your family’s assets, including who owns them. Pay special attention to student-owned accounts and assets held in trusts.
Shift Savings to FAFSA-Friendly Accounts: If you’re saving for college, prioritize 529 plans owned by you, the parent. Avoid putting large sums into custodial accounts.
Create a Life & Legacy Plan: Work with me to create a comprehensive Life & Legacy Plan that may include irrevocable trusts or other strategies to protect your assets and your financial aid eligibility.
Max Out Retirement Contributions: If possible, contribute to your 401(k) or IRA to reduce your countable assets while securing your financial future.
Plan Ahead for Income Events: Be mindful of how bonuses, stock sales, or other income events could affect your FAFSA profile. If possible, defer these until after filing.
The Big Picture
Balancing estate planning and FAFSA eligibility can feel like walking a tightrope. On one hand, you want to preserve your family’s wealth and secure your child’s future. Conversely, you don’t want to leave money on the table regarding financial aid.
Understanding how asset ownership works and taking strategic steps can position your family for success. Whether it’s shifting assets, leveraging trusts, or timing your financial moves, a little planning can go a long way. And when that acceptance letter arrives—along with a generous financial aid package—you’ll be glad you took the time to get it right.
How We Help
We can help you create a comprehensive strategy that optimizes education funding and wealth preservation goals. We’ll work with you to structure your assets effectively and ensure your plan adapts as the law, your assets, or your family dynamics change. Our approach focuses on creating clarity and consistency across all aspects of your financial planning, from education funding to legacy preservation.
Book a call to learn how we can help you create the right plan for your family. Contact us today to get started.
This article is a service of August Law, a Personal Family Lawyer® Firm. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That’s why we offer a Life & Legacy Planning™ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.
