<p>I am an independent married student with no dependents. Together spouse and I made about 46,000 for 2013 and my EFC is 10457
does this sounds right? or could I have filled something wrong? </p>
<p>that’s right for your situation. Remember, that’s for the entire COA, not just tuition. Likely you and your spouse are spending a good bit of that $46k towards your living expenses, right? (rent, food, transportation, personal expenses, etc). </p>
<p>think about it…about half of what your household takes in is “yours”. Then it’s very reasonable that about half of that half should be put towards COA. Right? If not, why not?</p>
<p>However, since your EFC is well beyond Pell, you may not get any “free money” and may only get loans offered. </p>
<p>Where are you applying? Are you an incoming freshman? or a current student? What was your EFC for previous years.</p>
<p>I am a transfer student for fall 2014. Last year it was around 7000 but I did make about 10k more this year. I hadn’t qualified for pell grant but it didn’t matter much since I was at a cc and could pay that myself.</p>
<p>However now that tuition will be much higher I am a bit worried. I applied to CSU and UCs. Have already been accepted to four CSUs and will need to take out loans for those(which I already expected). However I was hoping not to have such a high EFC, even if I didn’t qualify for pell grant, just so I could receive a bit more aid for UCs. I am trying to save as much as possible from here to fall. </p>
<p>"I applied to CSU and UCs. "</p>
<p>Were you planning on commuting? or were you and your H planning on relocating to wherever you go to college? Would you then lose your jobs or be able to transfer? </p>
<p>A UC might give you better aid then a CSU. </p>
<p>You earned about $10k more this year and your EFC rose by about $4k. That is totally reasonable. Why wouldn’t about half of what your increase be used towards YOU? Where else would it be put towards? You don’t have kids.</p>
<p>Ill be commuting to csu if i go to a uc we will be moving. My spouse can keep current job just relocating. I would loose my job Wouldnt be too big of a lose though. last year was great we were able to save a lot however we had to use our savings recently for medical reasons. However i do plan on saving a good amount of money for school from now on</p>
<p>Once you get decisions/FA pkgs then you can decide. A UC may give you great aid or it may load you up with independent loans. However, if it doesn’t give great aid w/o big loans, then commuting to a CSU where you can keep your job, may be the best financially. </p>
<p>What is your major and career goal? Have you had to borrow much so far? </p>
<p>Im a history major my goal is to obtain my masters and teach history at community college level. Luckily at community college ive been able to pay all of my expenses myself. Therefore i have no debt as far as school goes. I am keeping my options open and will end up going wherever i can avoid the most debt. </p>
<p>^^^
That’s a good idea since it sounds like you’ll have a masters degree to pay for as well (those often aren’t funded, and there isn’t need-based aid for that). </p>
<p>I only asked because as an independent student with junior year standing, the loan offers are large and can result in having too much debt for someone who won’t be earning a lot in their career. </p>
<p>You’re wise to avoid as much debt as you can. </p>