<p>UCLA, about 24K incl room, board, books, tuition/fees, transportation, miscellaneous, med insurance. We've found this estimate a bit inflated-- more likely about 22K for the frugal in-state student who lives on campus.</p>
<p>If you're living at home and commuting, about 8K for tuition/fees/books.</p>
<p>UMD College Park: $20,500</p>
<p>Suggestion: if you are planning for yourself, it's useful to keep in mind costs of room & board & books, etc. -- but if you want to compare schools, then it makes more sense to simply look at the cost for tuition & mandatory student fees. The other costs are estimates that may vary depending on circumstances and are usually tied to local geographical, cost-of-living factors -- and it may not be a consideration at all for student attending nearby publics, where commuting or less expensive off-campus living situations are more likely to be serious options. Books & incidentals are going to cost the same no matter where you buy them - again, the school's COA estimate may be way of base. In other words, those costs overall are going to be roughly $12-$15K, public or private, in any state. </p>
<p>With that in mind -- in state tuitions + fees for the UC system run to about $8000 these days, whereas at the CSU's it's around $3500.</p>
<p>the UCLA cost is not enough for me . i dont think its inflated, and i live off campus.</p>
<p>Help , does anyone have an idea. I just got back my EFC and it is 9500. I am in my second year and have just applied for 2007-2008. The first two years I had EFC of 2500, now because I did work study and worked to pay for my books and clothes ,and registration fees to help my parents ,now I've got this high EFC that my parents can't afford. I don't know what to do. I only made 6,000 for the full year,and so I had to file for the first time. I actually had to pay the fed's 300 . So with all the fees and the books for two semesters clothes, and dorm registrations fees ,that money is gone. My parents only make 62,000 ,for a family of 6 , only one in college,and they can't afford that EFC. My dad and mom both work 2 jobs and commute 1hr each day . They both made just enough to pay the 2500 EFC,but now because I work last year , THIS!!! 9500 EFC and not eligible for pell either.
what do I do ?</p>
<p>You spent $6000 on books, clothes, and registration fees?
Well if you keep working you will make at least another $6000 this upcoming year and that can go towards your EFC.
Also get a job over the summer to pay for your books and fees.
Try to limit the clothes.
Did you even get your finaid package from your school yet?</p>
<p>Go to the financial aid office with a letter explaining the fact that you are being penalized for working over the limit. If you had federal work study, did you note that on your FAFSA worksheet? That is subtracted out. In any case, depending on your college, they can use their "Professional Judgement" to back out your income on the FM and open up eligibility for Pell and SEOG grants. Do it on Monday. Such an appeal has worked frequently in my experience. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>