The assumptions underlying the student financial need analysis performed by York College of Pennsylvania, and by the majority of post-secondary institutions nationwide, are that parents have a moral obligation to assist their children in obtaining an education and that they should do so to the degree they are able. This study was designed to determine the extent to which students actually receive the financial assistance presupposed in establishing their financial needs. A survey instrument was sent to a 20 percent random sample of the full-time undergraduate students at York College of Pennsylvania, a private four-year institution. Responses from independent students were not considered. Responses from dependent students were dived according to parental income into "high-income" and "low-income" categories, which were matched by sex and residency. The amount of expected parental support was calculated according to normal procedures and was compared to the actual parental assistance reported. Of the 48 "high-income" (over $14,999) students sampled, only 14 received at least 80 percent of the expected parental contribution, whereas 42 of the 48 "low-income" students sampled recieved at least 80 percent of the expected parental assistance. A literature review is included. A bibliography and the survey instrument are appended. (DC)