<p>Ok, heres the run down:</p>
<p>EFC- Parents: 5,073 Me: 1264</p>
<p>Gross Financial Need: 8,123</p>
<p>Awards:
Federal Direct Sub Loan: 484
Federal Perkins Loan: 4,000
Douglas Turner Grant: 1,053
Florida Medallion Bright Futures: 2,496</p>
<p>Total Award: 8,033</p>
<p>I'm supposed to have 100 percent bright futures (a tuition scholarship in Florida). Do i have to physically do anything to make sure that UF knows this? And what loan companies do you recommend?</p>
<p>I'd go to the HS guidance counselor & ask for their help & advice. They're a good place to start. You can also speak with the school you want to attend & talk with them about your options. Loans DO have to be repaid whereas scholarships don't.</p>
<p>Considering im the Valedictorian of my class and have NEVER been called to guidance or been able to get into the office of idiots, I don't think i'll be going there. lol its not worth the effort.</p>
<p>I do understand the basics of my financial aid. What I'm concerned about at this point, is finding a decent place to borrow the money to cover my EFC. My family has a lot of medical debt and can't swing it.</p>
<p>Considering im the Valedictorian of my class and have NEVER been called to guidance or been able to get into the office of idiots, I don't think i'll be going there. lol its not worth the effort.</p>
<p>... All I can say is - wow.</p>
<p>yea. sadly, thats not an exageration. I don't think they know i'm even going to college...</p>
<p>If you want to possibly improve your FAid package, you can get your folks to document your medical debt & make an appointment with the FAid office at the school & ask if they can exercise Professional Judgment & reduce the amount of loans your family would have to take out. Medical debt and bills ARE something that FAid offices can & do consider in adjusting awards.</p>
<p>Here's a webpage with more info about the Florida Bright Futures Program (I'm sorry I know nothing about it).</p>
<p>same problem here, my EFC is 13,000 and Tufts expects me to pay 37,500.. how in the world can Ido that? Isnt the EFC what determines my aid? How much more can I pay... why is 'Expected' amount more than the 'Expected Family Contribution'???????????</p>
<p>Antarius, Tufts is a meets 100% need school. So there must be more to your situation than just that gap.</p>
<p>well, after inputting all the data into the FAFSA, which are investments etc, I get a EFC of 13k. </p>
<p>The income is 30 k odd... my expected payt amount is more than the income my family makes... that makes no sense...</p>
<p>i dont know what in the world is wrong....</p>
<p>redsilverclouds,
I agree with HImom. You should appeal. But you will need to provide documentation of your excessive medical expenses. We did that and were able to obtain several thousand more grant money. </p>
<p>As for Bright Futures, do you meet all the requirements for the top award? The Medallion Award has less requirements but only pays 75% of tuition/fees (which is what they gave you). For the higher award, I believe you need 1270 SATs (CR & Math), 75 hrs of community service and a 3.5 GPA (must include certain required courses). I think there's an equivalent ACT score but not sure what it is. If you meet the higher requirements, definitely follow up up with your school - since they probably need to send in proof (transcripts, etc). Mistakes do happen.</p>
<p>Antarius,
Tufts probably uses PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA so they will consider your family assets (house value, cars, $savings of all family members, etc). PROFILE schools also require a student contribution ($3000 or more) from summer earnings...</p>
<p>yes i meet the requirements for the 100% bright futures. The ACT score required is a 28 I believe. </p>
<p>You know, they should really create a debt/other significiant bill section in the FAFSA...but maybe thats just what I think.</p>
<p>Perhaps you should visit your guidance office, I believe their is a role your guidance counselor has to play in the whole Bright Futures thing (I graduated from Jupiter High in PBC, and we had to meet with our guidance counselor so he could send off information, I don't remember what it entailed beyond that to be honest) and if they're are oblivious as you say they are, they could have easily forgotten. Your award might also be adjusted after being sent a final transcript, which documents your community service hours.</p>
<p>Actually, medical bills are one of the few things that FAid offices will consider in making adjustments & the FAid offices expect the students or their families to make contact if they want any adjustments to their awards.
Your guidance counselor is obligated to help you out--they are being paid for my your state & if they don't do their job, have your parents speak to the principal of your school. This is YOUR money & YOUR future on the line here. Your parents should be advocating on your behalf as well. Good luck!</p>