<p>Is it possible for someone who like me, who is a first generation college student, to graduate College? I have been accepted into Cal State Channel Islands and have done my FAFSA, my efc is 0. My parents are not going to help me pay for college at all. I have no job and no money. Can I still go to college and graduate?</p>
<p>The answer to the question will depend entirely upon what financial aid package you get from the college, and of course how much the college expenses are.</p>
<p>In general, you cannot expect to attend college for free. </p>
<p>Did you complete the FAFSA using your parents income information? Have they filed their taxes yet? It is possible that the EFC will change once they file and IRS does the retrieval of their information. </p>
<p>Of course though you can go to college and graduate, but it is going to take hard work and commitment, and money.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Can you commute?</p>
<p>It might take some extraordinary effort on your part, but your question wasn’t “is this going to be easy?”</p>
<p>It will cost $25,000 per year to live away at that college. It looks like you will get a Pell Grant of 5,600 and a loan of 5,500 and likely some work study for a couple thousand dollars. That will be around $12,000, so a shortfall will occur. However, if you are in commuting distance and your parents will let you live at home for free you can do it.</p>
<p>Are you an instate California resident? It would seem that you are Calgrant eligible if you have a $0 EFC. Make sure you complete the Calgrant application requirements.</p>
<p>I’m not a Calgrant expert, but I believe these grant funds can be used for CSUs too. I also don’t know anything about Channel Islands…assuming it is a CSU.</p>
<p>If you are a Calif resident, you’ll get:</p>
<p>Cal Grant…which covers all of tuition.</p>
<p>Pell Grant, which is about 5600</p>
<p>Direct Loan …5500</p>
<p>maybe some…</p>
<p>work study…about $2k
Perkins loan…about $1500
SEOG…maybe about $1000
(the above are BIG MAYBE’s, so do not count on them)</p>
<p>You do need to get a job. Students ARE expected to contribute towards their costs. Aid doesn’t cover everything…NOR SHOULD IT. You’re going to have some personal expenses and you need to have some money to pay for those. Aid really doesn’t cover things like toothpaste, shampoo, and a night out with friends. </p>
<p>you also should get a job so that you’ll have textbook money before school starts. </p>
<p>The COA is padded so there are ways to bring that down. Buy books online, used, or whatever.</p>
<p>As Thumpers says, you need to make sure that the Cal Grant req’ts are followed. Check with your GC to make sure all is done.</p>
<p>If you find that you’re not given enough aid, then you’ll have to go to a CC for the first two years and then transfer. If that happens, then continue to work and save, so that you won’t have the shortfall for those last two years. Have your parents save the money in their acct, if you’re certain that they won’t spend it. You can “prepay” them for your “living expenses” and then they will “contribute” towards those last two years.</p>