<p>Okay, something is just plain wrong here for Kdog – there HAS to be something that was originally in the CSS that has caused the gap. </p>
<p>That first year, you were gapped by about $4,300. At a guestimate rate of 5.6% of assets (just based on how FAFSA counts assets - of course, no one know how UMich does it) somewhere on that CSS, erroneous or not, there must have been about $80 k in either home equity or non-registered funds…</p>
<p>The problem is, they use that first year as a baseline, then only use FAFSA each year thereafter to adjust. So whatever counted against Kdog in year 1 likely has carried forward.</p>
<p>If the plus was used to cover the EFC, that’s not really part of the equation. But the 30k figure is pretty typical from any program these days – including those that meet demonstrated need.</p>
<p>^ I still want to know if kdog asked for a review. The question was asked, but never answered. If he/she did then he/she would know why they were expected to pay that much.</p>
<p>No, I never asked for a review as I thought it was what it was and I thought EFC was just a baseline. I can assure all of you there was no equity or savings that would have skewed the EFC. I just assumed U-M wasn’t a school that guaranteed to meet 100% of need and if they did, they considered loans a big part of it.</p>
<p>
So I take it you don’t think the student loans are part of EFC and that is totally separate?</p>
<p>I think Kdog’s issue is that since the student eventually pays for the loan, that loans should be considered part of EFC…since the family (the student) is/will be contributing that money.</p>
<p>While a person can certainly make a rational argument for that, it’s not how colleges consider student loans. The same argument could be made for Work-study…the student is making the contribution.</p>
<p>“Aid” does not equal grants. Aid is just that…“help”. Schools believe that the family has the primary responsibility to pay for college, and they offer some “help”…grants, loans and work-study.</p>
<p>That said…if UMich promises to meet need, it shouldn’t gap from FAFSA EFC when the family’s financial picture doesn’t include anything that CSS Profile uniquely looks at. Otherwise, UMich is using CSS profile in kind of an unethical way…to “bump up” FAFSA EFC and then “claim” to meet need.</p>
<p>No Kay, I guess I don’t consider the fed loans to be covering EFC, and suppose I’ve always expected EFC to mean cash from my pocket, however it got there (savings, equity, paycheck, popcans found by the side of the road, garage sales, selling blood, offering oneself for scientific experimentation…you know, the usual parent-of-college-kid fundraisers Clearly, and unfortunately, Michigan seems to agree.</p>
<p>This year if you are gapped again, though, I’d ask 'em why and cite that lead paragraph from their website - not to be ungracious, but your first year represented a gap that by its own definition is actually a gap. Best wishes.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a little late as she is graduating this semester and it won’t be on campus. She is finishing abroad. Thanks for all the input as this thread has veered from the OP’s original question.</p>
Clearly, and unfortunately, Michigan seems to agree.</p>