<p>No one can say if you will get Regents at top UC’s you will just have to apply and see how it goes. Be sure to apply to many UC’s to increase your chances. Don’t scoff at any UC. I know a girl who had a Regents at Riverside who got into a tippy top law school.</p>
<p>Have you sat with your family and done and EFC calculation yet? Also realize that you have to fill out the FAFSA and CSS each year, so the amount awarded will change each year. If your dad is now employed, run the EFC with the full year’s income to see how the contribution will change, so you and your parents are aware. If your mom then gets a job that will increase EFC too. </p>
<p>In order to get the best suggestions, people have to know if your EFC is do-able for your parents. Get on that.</p>
<p>Also, you don’t necessarily hand the EFC over to the school. If it is low, the grants/loans may cover the tuition. So the EFC is expected to be given to the student for some of the allocated expenses, like food if they are not on the dining plan, rent if they are not in a dorm, airfare home, laptop. So if the student is able to cut costs, they won’t necessarily need all the EFC.</p>