And hearing-back-today~ma to sj and TCG. The sooner you're out of there and free from the disagreeable landlady and the stream of lookers and realtors, the better. And I forgot to mention it at the time, but I'm both sorry and incredibly amused that your evil stinky-fish-dish plot a few days ago was totally undermined by your culinary skill.

Thanks, JZ! I'm worried right now that if we don't hear back about our first choice, we're going to lose our opportunity at our second choice apartment, and then we're back at square one. We have a deposit down on our first choice, so there's not much we can do until we hear back.

You know what I will *never* understand? How the government figures a "family's" EFC (expected family contribution) for college tuition. I just. I don't understand. I made less money last year and my EFC went UP. Craziness.

I made less money last year and my EFC went UP. Craziness.

because they assume that you made less money, so your family will increase their contribution.

My family doesn't enter into the picture at all, though. It's just based on my income. I don't know. Me just hateses them.

vw - I go through the same thing each year. I totally don't understand the EFC.

I didn't say it made any sense, I just said why they do it.

But I'm pushing 40...why would my parents chip in now? The only income information I put in my FAFSA is for me, DH and the family expenses. I'm considered an "independent student".

If you're both an adult and living on your own, your "family" is you.

If your parents are still claiming you on their income taxes, your family includes them.

cereal

Suzi, in your case, it would include your income and your husband's, right?

why would my parents chip in now?

I think they expect you to put your children to work.

I have no clue, so I'm asking -- do the calculations adjust for cost of living in a place like the Bay Area as compared to, say, Kansas City?