Financial Aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
1

<p>I have not yet received my Financial Aid Package details from UCSB, but if it's anything like the one Davis is offering, it is not much. </p>

<p>(I know I can appeal, but how does that work? What do I do? My EFC is $20,500 but there is no way my family can afford this. We are really struggling right now, my mom is unemployed, hasn't been employed for the last 2.5 years (except for a job at a store that lasted about 2 months), and my step-dad was working 2 jobs but lost one of them. My dad lives in Ukraine and does not pay any child support. </p>

<p>I really want to go to UCSB, and the college experience is something I have been dreaming about and romanticizing since early junior-high. I would be heartbroken if I had to give up on that, especially the 1st two years that I know I would gain so much from.</p>

<p>I wasn't born here, my family and I moved from Ukraine when I was 8. Ever since it has been a financial struggle, and there have been so many important things I had to miss out on. I don't want my freshman and sophmore years at uni to be yet another thing to add to the list. )</p>

<p>So, I need to appeal, but I don't have any clue as to how to do this. My parents aren't much help since they really don' know anything about the system, and seem completely unmotivated to help me figure all this out. Do i call FAFSA and just start talking? Is there something I need to send in? I am lost.</p>

<p>Also, work-study. As much as I don't want to work while in school, it is somthing I know I will have to do. Is it difficult to find work-study positions at UCSB for Freshmen, and how does working affect your school work ... or life in general?</p>

<p>Also, if I take out loans, how does it work if I plan to go onto med school after college? I clearly cannot start paying off my loans while in medical school....I am so completely terrified and confused. =[ Help.</p>

2

<p>Hi, I heard somewhere the financial office doesn't award work-study to freshmen, but I could be wrong. That said, there's a Work Study Job Board at the financial aid website made available to all recipients-- but those are not the only options, as there are many other jobs on campus as well that will accept you if you have work-study, and even if you don't.</p>

<p>I believe loan repayment can be deferred as long as you are a full-time student, but don't quote me on that!</p>

3

<p>Your financial aid does not come from FAFSA - it comes from the school. It is the financial aid department at the school you need to talk to.</p>

<p>The financial figures (income and assets) you put into FAFSA produce a number called the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The school takes your EFC away from their COA (Cost Of Attendance) to come up with your 'need' on which aid is based. </p>

<p>An EFC of 20,000 would indicate a fairly high income - in the region of $90,000 - or a lower income and some assets. Has something changed that would affect your EFC? For instance you mention your step dad was working 2 jobs but has lost one? Is this a change from last year to this? If the family income this year will be less than last year because of loss of the job it is possible to ask for a special circumstances adjustment. If this is the case you would need to talk to the financial aid office at the school about this.</p>

<p>If there has not been a major change to the income figures entered to FAFSA then you will probably not be able to change much. The EFC is a federally based number that follows a set formula using the financial numbers you have provided. The school cannot change that unless there are some special circumstances that have changed your family financial picture - loss of job, major medical expenses etc, child support ceasing etc.</p>