<p>I'm planning [crosses finger] on attending Columbia U which meets 100% of its student's needs. Will this "need" include room/board or is it just for tuition? </p>
<p>My EFC ==>0 ($20K fam income)</p>
<p>CU Tuition: $41,316
Room/Board: $10,228
Books and supplies: $2,100</p>
<p>=~$53,600</p>
<p>Of course. If it’s really 100%, then you should get $53.6k :)</p>
<p>Your need will be met for your total cost of attendance (which includes room and board). However, you will still be expected to work during the school year and over the summers to cover costs such as books, transportation, and other incidentals.</p>
<p>Think of the formula as (Cost of attendance) COA- EFC = Need</p>
<p>Cost of Attendence is calculated slightly differently by each school but is generally Tuition + room + Board + fees sometimes including allowances for books and travel, etc. see this link for Columbia’s definition
[Student</a> Financial Services : Cost of Attendance](<a href=“Student Financial Services”>Student Financial Services)</p>
<p>Remember that your aid package will likely include work study but I think at your family’s income level you will not need to take out loans (check this with the financial aid office).</p>
<p>Any outside (non-institutional) scholarships that you receive will reduce the aid package from the school, starting with loans, if any, then work study.</p>
<p>Since every school has their own way of dealing with financial aid - call the aid office to clarify ANY issues, or just to confirm that you understand their policies.
Good Luck</p>