<p>So, I hope this post doesn't sound stupid because my EFC situation is a little different than some other people. I got my SAR report for the FAFSA today, and my EFC number is HUGE!!!! It exceeds Chicago's actual tuition by a lot. Now, having lived with my family and knowing our financial situation, there is no way that this number is correct (parents incomes are at 40K, but we have a business that is worth a lot). Will Chicago look at their own FA application along with the CSS forms to recalculate EFC, or am I stuck with the fact that I will be receiving no financial aid from UChicago?</p>
<p>"but we have a business that is worth a lot"</p>
<p>This is one of the many unfairnesses of the financial aid system. In the case of Chicago, FAFSA is used to determine whether you are eligible for federal grants / subsidized loan. The PROFILE and Chicago's FA application are what Chicago will use to determine the grant aid. I don't know how that will turn out, but it doesn't look too jolly. However, there is always a shot at merit aid.</p>
<p>If it looks like your family will not be able to manage full freight, make SURE you have other options that are public institutions or are privates that give more merit aid.</p>