We didn't put anything in 529s. Our state had pretty high income limits for state grants for 100% tuition for in state public schools, so once we retired and could manage our income the kids started getting the grants. The state grant limit was close to the ACA maximum income so it worked out well for us. (Our assets were mainly in FAFSA exempt asset classes and didn't count against us for financial aid.) Plus we had some educational tax tax credits, the kids had paid internships, took low cost online and community college courses for some of the basic required courses, etc. so we really didn't have to pay too much out of pocket.
That has not been our experience.
At all.
Our income is well under the ACA subsidy limits. Our FAFSA said our family expected contribution would be about half of the expected cost of attendance. The CSU university (CalPoly) offered $2k in student loans and ZERO grants. Similar for older son except when he was applying we only had one kid in college, and the loan amount was less. UC and CSU schools are famous for NOT offering grants to middle income people... Only the poor.
A friend suggested that private schools offered more financial aid - but CSS looks at assets differently than FAFSA and our granny flat (which is on the same parcel as our primary home) counted 100% as asset available to pay towards college. We'd qualify for nothing there. A friend who rents, however, has had her kids attend excellent private schools (Pomona, and Princeton) for free. I was just not in the same situation as her to be able to manage assets and income. Trust me - I've looked at it all FAFSA, CSS, WUE, etc.