<p>Hello! I am having trouble understanding the difference between both concepts and why the numbers come out to be so different. I would appreciate any sort of help. I am an out of state US citizen living in Barcelona, Spain.</p>
<p>I was recently admitted to the University of Virginia and was extremely excited, as UVa was first choice. I learned that UVa has a good financial aid program called AccessUVa and wasn't too worried about covering the costs. I recently received my financial aid packet which added up to $5,500 in loans. </p>
<p>When I emailed UVa they said that although my federal EFC is $9000, they calculated my institutional EFC to be $55,000. This is what my mother makes a year. Could anyone please explain what the difference is and why the numbers are so different? </p>
<p>They mentioned something about my brothers being Graduate students and that affecting my EFC, but the case is that in Spain they are not considered graduate students. They are undergraduate students living at home and my parents are covering all their expenses.</p>
<p>I would love to go to UVa, but with the aid they are offering it is impossible for me to attend. I am terribly confused and any sort of help would be immensely appreciated!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>