Age and Estimated Family Contribution? Loans, scholarships, advice?

Paying for College
1

I’m 2/3 through my first year of community college and have been paying out of pocket but am trying to see if I can get any financial assistance. Financial Aid at the school told me I have too high an EFC, but a friend told me that doesn’t matter over 26 years of age. I am unemployed and much older than 26!

Failing that I’m thinking of taking out a (subsidized?) loan or asking for scholarships but wonder if it’s too close to Fall. I can keep paying out of pocket but I’d rather pay back when I’m employed, or not all if I can qualify for something.

Thanks for any advice.

2

Does your CC accept federal financial aid? If so, and you are a US citizen or legal permanent resident alien, you need to file the FAFSA so that your CC can make federal aid money available to you. https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Some people’s FAFSA forms are required to be verified, so be prepared to explain to your CC how you can live (and pay out of pocket for your classes) without any current income.

3

What is your income? Your EFC is primarily based on YOUR income as a 26 year old.

Did you complete a fafsa and submit it to your college? What is your fafsa EFC?

4

How can you have a high EFC if you’re unemployed???

What is your EFC?

5

You need to complete a FAFSA…period. Submit it to your college.

Do you have a huge savings account?

If you have no income, and no savings, your EFC would be $0.

But then…how would you be paying your bills?

6

He could have a high EFC if he has high assets?

7

Hi everybody, thanks for reading. (and also writing)
FAFSA is done and even updated.
I’m using some fixed income while I start my life over and that is getting counted. I haven’t had money in months but I have too much money for financial aid :}

Since tuition is due in a day, I’ve applied for an unsubsidised loan (it’s all I qualify for) and will used the schools’ payment plan to postpone payment for a couple weeks while the loan app goes through.

Besides that I’ll be getting on the scholarship bandwagon, that is also hard because many require financial need. I could eat crow and pay cash for the thing it just seems like everyone I talk to gets a ride (or book account assistance, at least).

Thanks again for your advice.

8

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_crow

Or do you mean eat Ramen noodles?!

9

Thanks Madison, I always thought that phrase meant I’m so poor I’m outside catching things to eat. Indeed, I do go through plenty of ramen noodles.