<p>Though my EFC was a pretty high number (17-20 thousand from when my dad ran through the calculator) However, my parents said they can pay for 10-12 thousand and a car (it is almost a necessity where I want to go) </p>
<p>The school I want to go to has a estimated cost with tuition, room and board at around 40 thousand. Does that mean I have a need when doing scholarships that are need based? </p>
<p>For example, I was looking at the Michigan Competitive scholarship program, though I got a letter from my school that merit wise I am competitive it also says it is need based. Should I just keep filling these scholarships out and hope that I qualify? </p>
<p>All this financial aid stuff has me very confused!</p>
<p>I am currently looking at art schools. They are all around ~40+ thousand dollars in EFC plus supplies. </p>
<p>I am looking at every possible scholarship I can find right now in hope of covering the difference between the EFC and what is possible to pay. I have a job right now and work many many hours saving up for extra costs. My dad told me to not worry about it but I know better… I don’t want to make my parent’s bankrupt. </p>
<p>I am looking at College for Creative Studies as my top choice. I have applied to 6 other schools but financially I believe I will have the best luck staying in state due to many scholarships being state specific. </p>
<p>Merit based at art schools I am mid competitive with a 3.85 gpa and 28 ACT (hopefully that is changing on Saturday lol) and really good EC’s, internship, and a job. Art school merit based deadlines are mainly in February which is good because with creating a portfolio it takes up the time to fill out applications, but at the same time for many schools I will not know my aid until almost may 1st it feels like.</p>
<p>Your EFC is generally the minimum your family will have to pay. A few can get merit aid packages large enough to begin to eat into the EFC, but that’s rare and would require being a top student willing to go to a school where you’re at the top of their pool.</p>
<p>At most art schools, you will not have your need met and they would likely expect more than your EFC from your family. Unfortunately, making an art school work will be very tough.</p>
<p>Make sure to have a backup college that you can afford. This will likely be an in-state public univ. While it won’t be an art school, see if you can find one that has a good art program in which you can thrive.</p>
<p>And go ahead and shoot for what you really want, just have a solid backup that your family can afford.</p>
<p>Thanks! rentof2… thankfully my state also has a public art school. COF there will will be 26 thousand which is much better. They are my second choice if anything else is not financially feasible. </p>
<p>At that point I may consider commuting to my first choice</p>
<p>I am looking at every possible scholarship I can find right now in hope of covering the difference between the EFC and what is possible to pay. I have a job right now and work many many hours saving up for extra costs.</p>
<p>Unless you get super big scholarships for all 4 years, you’re not going to reduce your EFC. Scholarships first get applied to NEED, and then if anything is left over, it gets applied to EFC. Private scholarships are usually for only one year. So, you’d be short for the following years.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids so what I am trying to understand is if I have enough need to apply for private scholarships that say “you must have financial need” I believe I am eligible but that is what I am trying to figure out. </p>
<p>I am willing to take out a few loans but I am obviously trying to keep that amount down.</p>
<p>Annay, if what you’re expected to pay is less than the cost of attendance, then you have “need.” As to what a private organization might consider the optimal level “need” for its own purposes in granting scholarships will vary by organization. It also may have a lot to do with the need of other applicants against whom you’ll be competing for the scholarship. So, it’s really hard to answer your question. You certainly technically have need if the COA exceeds what your family is expected to pay. You should probably apply to those scholarships and see how it shakes out. I don’t see anything here that would make you ineligible if having need is the requirement.</p>
<p>rentof2 that is exactly what I wanted to know. I didn’t think I was out of the running because based on my top choice school chart that shows how financial aid can break down I was considering medium-high need there. </p>
<p>I will keep applying to these scholarships and see if I am able to receive a few of them.</p>
<p>*so what I am trying to understand is if I have enough need to apply for private scholarships that say “you must have financial need” I believe I am eligible but that is what I am trying to figure out. </p>
<p>I am willing to take out a few loans but I am obviously trying to keep that amount down. *</p>
<p>You will already have loans in your FA package. So, how are you going to cover the part of your EFC that your parents aren’t paying?</p>
<p>"You will already have loans in your FA package. So, how are you going to cover the part of your EFC that your parents aren’t paying? "</p>
<p>My parents said they would take out a few thousand in loans for me. I however, hope to receive some local scholarships (there is a whole legacy funding system but very few students apply due to the essays attached to each one -3/4 students apply for each) I am hoping to receive a few of those. My parents and grandma also have a college fund for me. </p>
<p>My dad ran through the EFC calculator and told me the figure he could pay, but I don’t think it included those sources in his estimate. </p>
<p>My parents are willing to take loans out of their retirement fund to pay for my education - as well as my brothers, however, I do not want them to do that so I am looking for every possible way to finance my education without them burdening their retirement. </p>
<p>I plan to work through college and already have a steady job and after meeting with a counselor at most of the schools I have applied to they have told me I will be able to graduate in 3.5 years or less due to credits I already have. </p>
<p>I may choose to commute as well. </p>
<p>I suppose I have my choices. Unfortunately my parents love my top choice school as much as I do and are almost unwilling to look at other choices. I should know a financial aid estimate soon, but I can’t help worrying!</p>
<p>"My dad ran through the EFC calculator and told me the figure he could pay, but I don’t think it included those sources in his estimate. "</p>
<p>You need to find out about this one. Talk with your parents again about what their TOTAL is from Current Income, College Funds, and Parent Loans. You (and they) absolutely do need this figure. Art school is expensive, and doesn’t lead directly to an easily employable degree (like Accounting would, for example). You may not be able to keep your parents from being in “love with” your top choice, but you can keep your own head screwed on straight through this process.</p>
<p>For more ideas, take a look at the Visual Arts sub-forum inside the College Majors Forum. The parents there have experience with the kinds of issues that your family will be facing.</p>
<p>“Art school are notoriously bad with financial aid. Expect to pay for most/all of your costs.”</p>
<p>So I’ve heard. Thankfully I will be going into a more employable field then fine arts(advertising/graphic design). I’ll find out the exact amount my parents can pay and keep applying for scholarships I guess.</p>
<p>If your EFC is less than the cost of attending the school, you have need. If it is equal to or greater than the cost of attending a school you do not have need. The cost of the colleges compared to your EFC will determine need.</p>
<p>As noted, just because you have need doesn’t mean that ALL colleges will meet that need. Some schools do (a very few) and most don’t.</p>