<p>I'm a rising senior and I just filled out my FAFSA application. My EFC number came out to be 32057. I'm assuming from the research that I have done that this means that my parents are going to be expected to pay 32,057 dollars per academic year. Now, I'm curious about the following things:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I live in Florida. (I would like to attend Florida State or University of Florida.) With my EFC number being so high... my chances of getting aid for these schools are practically out the window, correct?</p></li>
<li><p>Since I find it absolutely ridiculous to expect my parents to pay almost 30% of their gross income for my education and I would like to avoid applying for student loans, would it be better for me to consider oos schools such as Emerson, where my chances of getting some aid are higher? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I would just like to hear some advice on what would be better to do. I want to major in Communications & Psychology and Emerson College would be my first choice out of state. As a female minority, I'm starting to think that my chances of getting some good aid at a school up north are pretty high. So, with that said, should I stick to Emerson or perhaps BU as better options for me? OR should I stay here in Florida without aid?</p>
<p><strong>btw my chances of getting merit aid are slim- 1800 composite sat and a 3.3 unweighted gpa out of 4.0</strong></p>
<p>Sorry if this is a dumb question... I just want to hear what some of you gurus on this site have to say :) i'm a first generation student and this is all kinda new to me... :$</p>
<p>You will need to concentrate on schools where you would have a chance to get some type of scholarship … otherwise, focus on schools your parents can afford.</p>
<p>How much can they afford? Florida State’s published COA is around $22,000. Do you qualify for Bright Futures money. Along with FAFSA it is also helpful to complete Net Price Calculators for each school.</p>
<p>Hmm… Thanks for the 1/3 rule tip, 4kidsdad! And kelsmom, I feel like I would definitely have better chances of getting scholarships out of state. But they’ll definitely be more expensive… </p>
<p>This leads me to raise another important question: staying in state will cost my family approx 20 grand a year. Without aid because I will not qualify. Going out of state will cost me about 10 grand more, with some possible aid. So, we would be talking about an approximate 10-15 grand difference. My question is: should I go ahead and go out of state (if I get accepted) and spend a little more, or should I stay in state? Is it worth going out of state for undergrad? Or should I wait until grad school to pay the big bucks? Thanks in advance for any tips… They’re greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>32057 is the least amount you will have to pay. Most schools do not meet need and have other ways of calculating need besides FAFSA. You might get aid at some out of state schools, but the cost may be higher too. You need to look at total cost no matter where you go. Are you eligible for bright futures? Would you qualify for merit at FAMU?</p>
<p>scmom12… my parents feel comfortable contributing 16-18k max per year. 20k being the cap. Personally, I find it so difficult for me to ask of them because I feel like its such a big burden! But, thankfully, they understand that they will need to make an investment in my education. So, florida state and university of florida are viable options for me at the moment. And yes, I do qualify for Bright Futures as I am in the IB program… but Bright Futures is barely anything. (but still greatly appreciated haha)</p>
<p>How would your parents have to pay 30% of their income if you went to an INSTATE public in FLORIDA??? </p>
<p>You’re not making any sense. An instate Florida school would cost you about $22k per year (less if you get Bright Futures). If you went to a school like Emerson, you might get “some aid,” but your parents would have to pay AT LEAST their EFC…which COSTS MORE than a Florida state school.</p>
<p>Since you qualify for BF, then your cost at a Florida public will be about $17k, right???</p>
<p>If you are a rising senior, you cannot fill out YOUR first real FAFSA until January 1, 2014. The FAFSA currently available is for THIS academic year.</p>
<p>You really need to do the net price calculators on the college websites for schools that you wish to apply to. That will give you a better estimate of aid.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids- I’m not entirely sure how much a Florida school would cost me with a BF scholarship. But, I do know that they will award me $103 per credit hour at a 4 year institution. My stats are: 3.3 unweighted GPA, 4.2 FSU GPA, 4.1 UF GPA. 1800 SAT. 27 ACT. Female minority. 400+ community service hrs. Varsity soccer. IB student. Sec. of Quill & Scroll HS, member of NHS, SHS, and VP of IB student government. AP scholar award. </p>
<p>thumper1- Yep, i just wanted to see what my EFC was looking at right now. And, thanks for the tip. I’ll be looking into that. :)</p>
<p>My suggestion is to apply to FL schools so you have an affordable alternative, but also apply to a few other schools where you might have a chance of getting some type of diversity, community service, merit or other scholarship. Be aware of the fact that your EFC will definitely come into play … even if you get a $10,000 scholarship, a $40,000 school will still cost your family $30,000. You will not get need-based aid that exceeds your cost of attendance minus your EFC.</p>
<p>I definitely wouldn’t pay more to go OOS since state schools give you some good choices. If you can get cost down to around $18000 with bright futures, then add in part-time work and maybe research the possibility of being a hall advisor after your freshman year. I know that’s not a given just because you want it, but that can really reduce housing cost and, depending on school, food cost and maybe a stipend. You need to pick a range of schools and do some real detail research.</p>
<p>Hmmm… I’m starting to think it might be better for me to stay here in Florida for undergrad, too. I’ll see how things play out next spring… I’m just going to hope for the best and keep doing some research. Thanks for all your input, everyone. :)</p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure how much a Florida school would cost me with a BF scholarship. But, I do know that they will award me $103 per credit hour at a 4 year institution</p>
<p>Well, you can estimate about $3,000. so if tuition, room, board and books at a Florida Public will cost you about $20k, then with BF, the cost would be about $17k…almost cutting EFC in half.</p>
<p>Definitely cheaper to stay in-state. I don’t know how your 1710 SAT breaks down, but you need a 29 ACT or 1290 M/R SAT to get the highest Bright Futures award of $103 per credit hour.</p>