<p>All of the colleges that I have been accepted to have given me Loans and either no or little money for financial aid. My ETC is somehow incredibly high at like 55k. Unfortunately my parents haven't saved enough money for me to go to most of the schools I've been accepted to. Is there any way that I can talk w/the financial aid people to get more $? How likely do you think they will give more $? And do you have any tips? Thanks.</p>
<p>Loans are considered financial aid. I think you are referring to grants--money you do not need to pay back. Your EFC is very high, so unless the cost of attendance of your school is well over 55K or you have extenuating circumstances, not simply that you and your parents did not save $ for college, then I doubt you will get much more in the way of financial aid
Sorry</p>
<p>Sorry, but schools are not going to give you grant money as a reward for a high EFC and no savings. That would penalize families that did save for college. </p>
<p>Hopefully you took this into account when you made your list of schools. Do you have any in-state or lower cost schools on your list?</p>
<p>the only thing you are guaranteed is the unsubsidized Stafford Loan. As a freshman, that is $3500 (not sure if it's going up for the next school year)</p>
<p>previously, the OP asked if the EFC was for 1 year or all 4.</p>
<p>Why oh WHY don't high schools talk about the FAFSA, EFC and MONEY. I am totally surprised and dismayed that people (esp higher income/asset parents like those of the OP, don't realize this)</p>
<p>Your family's EFC of $55,000 would generally mean that their income is in excess of $150,000 for the year (unless they have huge savings..and you say they don't). Schools assume that current income AND future income (loans) will help your family pay for college in addition to whatever they have saved.</p>
<p>How close are the FAFSA EFC and CSS Profile's EFCz/ Are they usually in the same ballpark?</p>
<p>^^^ Since the CSS profile takes home equity into account, the EFC for many lower-middle class through upper class families who own homes typically comes out higher on the CSS than the FASFA. Although you should be aware that the CSS does NOT give you an EFC. Each school takes the information and applies their own formula. However, exessive medical expenses are taken into account on the CSS, which actually takes into account this particular special circumstance.</p>