One wonders about the people who make $125,001 - $170,000 who are then on the hook for the full tuition (around $45K). They'd find it cost effective to substantially lower their income.
"Families with incomes at higher levels, typically up to $225,000, may also qualify for financial assistance, especially if more than one family member is enrolled in college. Financial aid offers vary by family, but the financial aid expansion for 2015-16 will allow Stanford to reduce the expected parental contribution for many families at these higher income levels."
A Certified Public Accountant. You pay them to find the best solutions to your taxes. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) uses the student's family's taxable income to determine if they qualify for aid.