<p>Hello,
I filed my FAFSA with 2010 tax info for now(going to update it once my mother's 2011 tax gets filed) and the EFC came out different from last year.
When my brother filed the FAFSA last year, his EFC came out to be 0, and that was only for him.
This year, the EFC jumped up to 297 when it's including two college students unlike last year.
Does this mean I'll get less money from the colleges?
I feel like going in little corner of mine and start crying.. TT.TT</p>
<p>I guess it’s possible that between years, things can change. It is quite unsettling that the EFC went up with your addition. Perhaps make doubly sure that you didn’t leave anything out, or that your brother filled out the form the same way you did?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure we did everything the same… I’ll check again just to make sure.
If you live with single parent, do they not ask you if you receive free/reduced lunch?
I thought they do ask and that’s what gets the person the maximum financial aid or something… (i heard this from a current college financial office person)
I’m really really confused @___@
and thank you so much for answering my question, phospholipase! :)</p>
<p>There is a question for everyone (not just children of single parents) that asks if you receive a federal means-tested benefit. That includes free/reduced price lunch. </p>
<p>Did your parent file a 1040A or 1040EZ?</p>
<p>My parent filed 1040A</p>
<p>I don’t mean to steal your thread, EternalSnow, but I too am confused about my EFC.</p>
<p>I am considered an independent student (23, married but no kids, live alone for past 6 years etc) and I filled out the FAFSA for the first time yesterday. At the end it gave me an Estimated Expected Family Contribution of 08328 ($8,328 I guess). I’m a little worried as there is no way I can pay that much once I have paid for rent, food, etc. I work full-time now, but plan to work part-time or not at all when I begin school next Fall and my wife currently does not work. We file a 1040A.</p>
<p>I am a veteran and for one of the questions it asks how much non-taxable income I expect to receive during the months I am in school. I would get a housing allowance through my G.I. Bill to a tone of about $2,000/mo (that I would obviously use for rent - not school) that I am in school ($18,000 total) that is considered non-taxable since it is a payment from the VA. Should I be putting that in there? Other than that I would have no assets and barely have enough $ in the bank to cover that month’s bills. I understand that it’s COA-EFC= possible financial aid, but I don’t think I can cover 8k/yr without loans. G.I. Bill would cover $17,500/yr, but that’s barely 1/2 the year at a private school. Is this how it’s all supposed to work?</p>
<p>Also, I had to fill out the CSS Profile and at the end of it it asks about special financial situations. I explain there that my wife is a type-1 diabetic with an insulin pump and we have to spend a few thousand $ a year in med supplies (pump supplies, insulin, doctor visits, etc) and that once I start school we may lose my work medical benefits which would definitely shoot our med bills through the roof. I take it the FAFSA doesn’t take any of this into account? Would it be something I would need to bring up to Financial Aid Officers?</p>
<p>Thanks a ton to everyone. This is my single most worry about the entire college application process.</p>
<p>* At the end it gave me an Estimated Expected Family Contribution of 08328 ($8,328 I guess). I’m a little worried as there is no way I can pay that much once I have paid for rent, food, etc.*</p>
<p>that 8328 is assuming the costs of rent and food. That EFC is based on an entire COA for a school…which includes THOSE costs. </p>
<p>However, if you’re going to be going to a school that doesn’t give much aid anyway, it may be moot. </p>
<p>* I understand that it’s COA-EFC= possible financial aid, but I don’t think I can cover 8k/yr without loans. G.I. Bill would cover $17,500/yr, but that’s barely 1/2 the year at a private school. Is this how it’s all supposed to work?</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>Yes…COA-EFC. What is the COA of your school? </p>
<p>And the amount that you’re paying for your R&B could be your EFC…plus you’ll be getting GI money. </p>
<p>You may not be able to afford a private school UNLESS the school gives you a big grant. What school is it? are you an incoming frosh? Does the school give good aid? </p>
<p>You may need to go to an instate public to save costs.</p>
<p>You’ll have to talk to the FA office about your wife’s med bills. Right now, much is covered by insurance. Later, might be an issue for them to consider.</p>
<p>And, if you’re getting $2k per month for rent, I suggest that you move to the cheapest place you can. That would free up some money. </p>
<p>Eternal Snow. Has your mom’s income risen in the last 2-3 years? If so, that would explain the increase. However, even with that EFC, you’re still going to get a good sized Pell Grant. </p>
<p>If the income hasn’t changed, then go over the numbers. Compare to what your brother submitted last year.</p>
<p>Thanks mom2.</p>
<p>So how you’re saying it may work is that the 8k is considered with room and board, but b/c I will have room and board covered by VA, then I have already met my EFC by default?</p>
<p>I haven’t heard much on how generous the private universities I applied to are for financial aid/grants. I get the vibe it’s pretty hit or miss with them all.</p>
<p>According to the school’s websites, the COA for the privates in which I applied is between $52,980 and 55,659 - with living off campus taken into account.</p>
<p>I am considering public universities since it would be covered 100% with my G.I. benefits, but I have few options as I am geographically constrained.</p>
<p>I’ll bring my wife’s condition up to the FA officers. I’d defintely pay for her insulin over my tuition any day.</p>
<p>Oh, and does the 8k EFC mean I do not qualify for the Pell grant? I thought I read online somewhere that the EFC would need to be about 3500 or below to qualify.</p>
<p>Turtle…</p>
<p>you don’t qualify for Pell. Your EFC would have to be a good bit below 5000 in order to get a substantial Pell grant. Pell grants are up to 5550 per year and get smaller as you approach about 5000.</p>
<p>Yes, essentially, your GI bill will cover your EFC.</p>
<p>HOWEVER…it doesn’t sound like your schools meet need. So, EFC may be irrelevant. Which schools are these? </p>
<p>Are you coming in with any credits? or are you a first time frosh…big difference!</p>
<p>*I am considering public universities since it would be covered 100% with my G.I. benefits, but I have few options as I am geographically constrained.
*</p>
<p>You may have little choice if your privates don’t give much aid. Your privates will very likely include full student loans in your FA packages so you won’t be able to borrow more to cover any gaps.</p>
<p>What are your geographical restraints? What limits you from moving? Your current job? Does your wife work? Since you’ll be working part-time anyway, you may need to get another job at a new location.</p>
<p>Do any of your schools offer insurance that would cover you and your wife?</p>
<p>Check with the schools themselves. Some have veteran’s offices that you can contact. Others may have money for veterans. It is good to check.</p>
<p>OP - what is your mom’s AGI? The limit for automatic 0 EFC was higher last year - your family may have been caught up in this change.</p>
<p>kelsmom,</p>
<p>That is a great suggestion, but unfortunately CA historically lags behind in supporting veterans, sadly to say. Most public universities have great programs and even official Veteran Offices set up, but almost every single private in CA doesn’t even have a link on their website that goes beyond just listing off the VA website links (nothing of their own).</p>
<p>turtlerock, I forgot to include this link in my PM [USC</a> ARR : Veterans Affairs](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/veteransaffairs/]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/veteransaffairs/)</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Great, thanks, alamemom. One of the better looking veteran’s sites I have seen - organized at least.</p>
<p>OP, why are you including your info with your mother/brother? As a veteran you’re independent for FAFSA.</p>
<p>^ We made a bend in the road at post #6 - the OP isn’t a veteran, but turtlerock is.</p>
<p>^^Yeah, sorry about that, Erin’s Dad. I kind of hijacked the thread.</p>
<p>Just to share with everyone, I ended up talking to a FAFSA Representative and they said that if the NON-taxable income is part of my G.I. Benefits, then I do not report it on the FAFSA. I’ll correct it tonight and resubmit. Hopefully that’ll lower my EFC.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for their insights to my inquiry.</p>
<p>My mother’s AGI was 27k in 2010. It went down in 2011 though.
And thank you everyone for answering my question :)</p>
<p>Eternal- it could be that before your mom qualified for auto 0 and now she doesn’t. Last year, the income needed to be under $30k and this year it’s $23k.</p>
<p>oh. I see. I don’t know the exact amount she earned in 2011. I’ll just hope that it was under 23k. Thank you so much for answering my question!! 
hope your 2012 will be filled with joy! <em>-</em></p>
<p>OP, even with an EFC of $300, you would be eligible for a Pell grant of around $5300. Here’s a link to the 11/12 disbursement schedules:</p>
<p><a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/P1101Attach.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/P1101Attach.pdf</a></p>