No one expects families to deplete their savings account, sell their home or land, or spend money put away for retirement in order to handle college costs. However, a family with a substantial bank account, real estate, investments, and/or a lucrative business is in a stronger financial position than a family with similar income and no investments, and large debts on assets. As a general rule, more is expected of families with greater assets, just as more is expected of those with higher incomes.