<p>So FAFSA told me that my EFC is $34,000 but the Rice financial aid letter told me that my EFC is $44,000. Therefore, Rice only rewarded me with a $5,000 aid package ($1,500 in Rice tuition grant). Why is there such a great difference? I'm confused :(</p>
<p>I think they base it off the CSS which is much more extensive and includes other factors.</p>
<p>assets play a significant role in Rice’s efc.</p>
<p>@DoReMi - Same here. Our FAFSA EFC is $26,000. Rice gave us the exact thing as yours. However, my D has not received any package from RICE yet, so we don’t know what is our RICE EFC. I don’t know if D can go to Rice, since we will have to pay a lot more than we anticipated.</p>
<p>@sk8mom,</p>
<p>check online. the financial aid packages are there, under the “financial aid” award tab.</p>
<p>@selter01,
We checked online, but RICE EFC was not included. Anyway, DD received the package today and Financial letter indicated that our EFC is 44K (based on RICE formular). DD has emailed FA office and asked to see why our FAFSA EFC and RICE EFC is so much different. No answer from RICE yet. At this point, DD leans toward to her state school (UMD) for a FULL-RIDE.</p>
<p>@DoReMi - Once DD hears back from RICE’s FA, we will let you know.</p>
<p>@Sk8mom
Wow! And I thought I was unlucky. Good Luck.
I called Rice’s finaid office and after I told them my Student ID, they told me they would call me back the next day and hung up. It’s been three days and I haven’t heard anything back so you might have to be persistant. Please let me know if email worked better.
I can’t go to an instate school since non offer my major but I am also leaning towards a public school at this point.</p>
<p>hmm…Our FAFSA EFC and Rice EFC have always been about the same. Do your parents have a lot of assets, or do you have a lot of assets in your name?</p>
<p>Finally today RICE replied to DD’s email that was sent on 4/2 asking about the huge different in EFC. RICE’s email said that they will re-review DD financial status and will re-calculate the financial amount for her. Let’s keep our fingers cross.</p>
<p>I imagine that they are swamped right now, with people asking for packet reviews… Hope there is good news for you! :)</p>