Foopy. Any need based aid you get will NOT cover your EFC. That is your family contribution, and your family is expected to pay that amount. Any need based aid you receive because of the FAFSA calculations, or because of the Profile calculations a school does will NOT pay your family contribution. The need based aid is to provide assistance between the cost of attendance the balance left after your EFC is subtracted.
With a FAFSA EFC of $8000, you would get a $5500 Direct Loan…and that is it.