The parent contribution is an estimate of the portion of the student's educational expenses that the federal government believes his or her parents can afford. It is based on income, the number of parents earning income, assets, family size, the number of family members currently attending a university, and other relevant factors. Students who [..]

The amount a family has in non-retirement savings and investments. This includes savings and checking accounts; a business; a farm or other real estate; and stocks, bonds, and trust funds. Cars are not considered assets, nor are such possessions as stamp collections or jewelry. The net value of the principal home is counted as an asset by some coll [..]