So now that I’m done with applications, I figured I’d start looking at financial aid. I did FAFSA a few months ago and got an efc of like 200 or something (27,500 household income for family of 3) but now I’m just hearing about CSS and I’m a little unsure of it. If a school is a “100% will meet your financial need,” should I bother applying for CSS to that school? Same idea if I do a net price calculator and its 0? Or will it help subsidize other aspects like books, dining plan, etc?
The only school o know of that meets full need that uses the fafsa mostly is University of Chicago. The school does have its own very short form, but it does not require the Profile or the non-custodial parent info.
From your other thread it seems you’re family income is ~$30k. You’ll probably qualify for full Pell (~$5k/year) and you can borrow ~$5500/year. If your mom’s health is better you can probably work summers and earn ~$3k/year. That gives you a budget of ~$13k. Does GA offer any state aid? Are there any schools within commuting distance of your home? You need one on your list that you can get in and know for sure is affordable. Did you apply to any schools that offer guaranteed merit?
I’ve actually done a lot more than the typical high schooler thus far, I was only confused about the CSS Profile because my school doesn’t discuss it. Thank you for your concern.
@misspresident go to the financial aid section of the websites for all of the Colleges you applied to, and you will find all of the required forms and any other items that you need to provide, in order to receive any financial aid, along with pertinent deadlines. Do not delay, hopefully you have not missed deadlines; however, if you have, send in any missing info ASAP. If you missed any deadlines, or have questions about what is required, contact the financial aid office at those colleges. Also review websites to see if you risk getting reduced aid.
Along with other posters who expressed concern, I also sincerely hope that you have applied to some financial safeties, so you end up with affordable options to choose from. Good luck to you.
Most colleges will expect some sort of student contribution, even if your efc is zero. It is generally expected that you will have some savings already, along with a job this coming summer, and that you will also have future earnings from summer jobs to contribute in future years. Most colleges will also meet part of your need with federal loans, $5500 freshman year, $6500 sophomore year, $7500 junior and senior year. You can usually reduce book costs by purchasing used books or renting. If you are awarded work study as part of your package, you will not be paid those $ up front, you will be earning those funds throughout the school year.
Run the Net Price Calculator for every school you hope to attend to get an estimate of what they’ll cost. Colleges that meet full need are highly competitive. Do you have any affordable admission safeties on your list?
@austinmshauri yes I’ve already been accepted to the University of Georgia and I qualify for the state aid. I just wondered if CSS was necessary. Thanks.
With your low family income, hopefully you can get a fee waiver for up to 8 schools to send the CSS profile to.
Check the financial aid pages of all the schools you applied to to see if they want CSS profile as well as FAFSA.
Then sit down with your parents this weekend and complete the CSS profile for the schools that require it.
You might have a College Board account already. There is information on how to complete the CSS profile on the website.
If your EFC is $200, at a public school you will most likely get a Pell grant, maybe work study and SEOG grant. Then you can get a student loan if you need it of $5,500.
Instate you can get Hope/Zell Miller you said.
Private schools might also give you institutional grants or merit scholarships. Net price calculators can give you an idea how much they might give you with your family assets and income.
Make sure to get a job this summer for travel expenses, books (rent or buy used), spending money.
Hope/Zell Miller is a wonderful help, but will not cover everything. You need to make sure you complete all the financial aid forms to receive the loans and Pell grant, SEOG, anything else GA might award to low income students.
