<p>I had a EFC of 0 last year, but I only made 4,000 last year as well but received a Full Pell Grant. I made a whopping 9,000 this year and it went up to EFC 979. I am attending a community college, if this info helps. So, my question is, should I be worried that I have to pay for school now cause of the raise of the EFC? Am I not going to receive a Pell Grant now?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Anthony</p>
<p>You will still get a Pell grant. Just not the maximum. For 2008-2009 EFCs up to 4041 were eligible for Pell. The maximum of $4731 was available for 0 EFC and it went down as the EFC increased. On last years tables (this years are not out yet) an EFC of 979 would have received a Pell of @ $3781</p>
<p>If you made $9000 was any of that work study? If so, be sure to subtract that on the FAFSA worksheets so it does not count against you ( I have not done the FAFSA yet this year and I know the worksheet are different, but it still will adjust somewhere for work study $)</p>
<p>Good point^^. Also if any of the 9000 was reportable grant income make sure you are listing that on FAFSA so it gets deducted from your AGI.</p>
<p>Yea, none of that was work study since I just began school in the winter semester. Jan 12th 09.
So unfortunately nothing from last year counts.</p>
<p>i got almost the same EFC : 900 and i don't know if it's good or so-so??</p>
<p>An EFC below $4000 is pretty darn good, as it allows you to qualify for many grants offered and at most schools there were going to be loans as part of your package anyway, so $900-$1500-$3000, all of that would come out of your pocket anyway, either now or later---assuming you can make it happen. </p>
<p>If you have $4000 EFC or less and get a Pell grant that also allows you to qualify for the ACG/SMART grants and this is huge.</p>
<p>What are ACG/SMART grants? I never heard of these. Any info you can share and links you can provide at all? Thanks.</p>
<p>ACG is the Academic Competitiveness Grant. it is $750 for freshmen and $1300 for sophomores. It requires Pell eligibility and certain academic requirements - you have to have completed a rigorous course of study as defined by your State.
Student</a> Aid on the Web</p>
<p>The SMART grant is for juniors and seniors. it is $4,000. It requires Pell eligibility and you have to be majoring in specific majors (mostly sciences but also some others such as certain languages)
Student</a> Aid on the Web</p>