<p>My EFC 53055. Does this mean our expected family contribution is $53,055 for one year of college, or four years? I'm getting a little worried... I applied for financial aid for a reason.</p>
<p>Unfortunately calculated EFC is for that year only. You must complete FAFSA each year and each year an EFC is calculated.</p>
<p>That’s for one year. Sit down and take a deep breath…</p>
<p>That’s quite disappointing…</p>
<p>If your parents have an EFC of over $50k, that means that they have a very high income or very high amount of assets.</p>
<p>I see that you applied to NYU and Columbia (and I’m guessing some other colleges). NYU is not going to help you. If you get accepted to Columbia, I’m not sure if their policy is similar to Harvard’s and will expect your parents to contribute less. Others here can provide some info about that.</p>
<p>Did you apply to any financial safeties?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>How much can your parents contribute?</p>
<p>I see that you go to a private high school; Can they contribute at least the amount that the private school costs.</p>
<p>Got rejected from Columbia. NYU is my top choice (tied with Cornell), and I realize they are not great with financial aid.</p>
<p>Financial safeties: UNC CH, NC State University, SUNY Stony Brook</p>
<p>My stats are decent, but my test scores are not spectacular. </p>
<p>We have money in a 529 for the first 2.5 years of any private school (basically). Enough money for 4 years of UNC/NCSU/SUNY SB. My dad is encouraging me to go to UNC, but I’m not sure I’d be happy there =/</p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Go to UNC-CH…it’s a great school. Why wouldn’t you be happy there?</p>
<p>Ah, well I’m in need of a change. Already live right by CH right now, and a lot of people from my current school end up going there… I mean, I’m sure I’d like it, but I’d rather go to one of my other choices. And plus I want to go back to NY (used to live there)… kind of feel like I’m stuck in NC. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help!</p>
<p>Why not go to a SUNY then? At least they would be affordable. You only have funds for 2 1/2 years, so how can you go to an expensive school?</p>
<p>Or go to UNC-CH for two years and then transfer to another school.</p>
<p>UNC CH is a HUGE school. I’m sure you can meet hundreds of students there who you have met before.</p>
<p>If your parents have the money for school for 2 1/2 years put away for you at any private, they certainly can afford SUNY Bing too.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks guys.</p>