FA shows EFC tripled

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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<p>When I first completed FAFSA, they listed my EFC as around 16k. However, when I looked up my financial aid estimate online yesterday, NU gave me about 3k in loans and 3k in work-study for 2008-2009 school year, with my EFC now weighing in around 48k.</p>

<p>I was disappointed to say the least, and I was wondering if anybody had the experience of NU tripling your EFC. U of Chicago gave me even less than NU, but they are notorious for lacking FA.</p>

<p>What I think was definitely a factor however, is the fact that my parents are divorced. I live with my mom, and she doesn't work, which is maybe why our FASFA original EFC was so low. However, maybe once they calculated in my dad's income (he is the non-custodial parent), which is around 100k, that boosted my EFC to what it is now. I'm not sure however, how much stock they put into the non-custodial parent when calculating my aid. By the way, my dad is pretty much non-existent in my life...financial help from him is pretty much out of the question.</p>

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<p>FAFSA does not take into account the non custodial parent. But CSS/profile (which I believe both NU and Chicago require) does take into account the non custodial parent. So, yes, that is where the difference has come in.</p>

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<p>Ahh I see, not the answer I wanted, but the answer I was expecting. I was just so shocked that my dad alone could triple my efc, I mean I think he earns around 100k, and he told me that he doesn't have that many assets.</p>

<p>What do you guys think about appealing to the FA office. Obviously divorced parents are not unique, but is it worth a shot to explain how most of my supposed wealth stems from my non-custodial parent, who refuses to be involved in paying for my college education (on account that he <em>is</em> the non-custodial parent).</p>