<p>I'm very confused on how FAFSA works. I know I have to fill out an online form to file for financial aid. Let's say this person's EFC is 0, is there a maximum amount of financial aid that someone can receive? One of my mother's friend claimed that his daughter's ENTIRE college tuition has been paid for through financial aid, NOT a scholarship. Is that even possible?</p>
<p>I know that the Federal Pell Grant is $5,730 a year (maximum).</p>
<p>FAFSA is a form you fill out. The main purpose is to get federal aid which is Pell grant up to 5730 and direct loan which is 5500 freshman year. Then, depending on the availability at the college you attend there may be a few other federal aid given.</p>
<p>So any other aid comes at the state level or the college level. Some colleges only use the numbers on FAFSA, but other colleges that have ability to give more money have additional forms and figures they want supplied. </p>
<p>I’m not too familiar with TX public college, but I don’t think they are too great. Usually when you get the entire thing paid it means that you are extremely low income with 0 EFC. But there are often loans in that package and it is usual to have work study and even a summer earnings contribution. Yes you can get the Texas grant in addition to Pell. Some private schools will give the full or part cost of attendance as well as tuition. COA includes room, board, books, personal expenses and a bit for transportation too. But usually you have to be a really competitive students to get accepted to colleges that give that much ‘need based’ aid.</p>
<p>Thank you @BrownParent and @DmitriR. My mother makes around $13,000-$14,000 a year. I’ve been accepted into Biology at UT Austin, and since they’re an extremely competitive school, they don’t give much money unless you’re really like at THE TOP (which I am not, sadly.) </p>
<p>IF I get the max, it’d be $5,730(FEDERAL PELL) + $5,000 (TEXAS GRANT) = $10730 TOTAL for GRANTS ONLY.</p>
<p>I’ve looked at another website and I see that there is:
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
This institutional grant is awarded to students based on their financial need. For 2014-2015, the maximum award is $4,000.</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This federal grant is awarded to students who are working on their first undergraduate degree. These funds are reserved for students who have exceptional need (full Pell-eligible). For 2014-2015, the maximum award is $2,000. <em>Students who have received a bachelor’s degree or are in a graduate program are not eligible for this award. If during</em></p>
<p>Some other grants say: Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement
What does that mean…?</p>
<p>For federal financial aid, if you are a male citizen or permanent resident of 18 years of age you must register for Selective Service which is a registry for people who can be conscripted into the federal government’s military. It is not a big deal in terms of time commitment to fill it out but it is mandatory for any kind of college aid provided by the federal government and probably state programs too.</p>
<p>FSEOG is a supplementary grant. It works similar to the Pell grant program except there is less money in it and, crucially, it can run out (unlike the Pell Grant, which is guaranteed to anyone who qualifies for it). Not all schools participate in FSEOG as well so you might not get it unless the college you applying you tells you that you will get it.</p>
<p>Have you tried running a Net Price Calculator? You can find this on every college’s website and it is really the best way to get a clear idea. It’s not super helpful to gather information about potential financial aid benefits from a generic website somewhere; using an NPC provides information that is the best you can get before you actually fill out the FAFSA which for you will only be available starting January of next year.</p>
<p>@DmitriR I was talking about aid given at Texas only, and it is not too good compared to Ca, for instance, which will cover very low income. Sorry for any confusion, we are just talking aid in this convo, you lifted my remark out of context.</p>
<p>Stressed, when you get your aid package, it will tell you about any other aid available that you don’t have to apply for, like SEOG. You might get a few hundred but you might not. </p>
<p>Meanwhile apply for any state or local grants you can, outside grants are often only for one year but look.</p>
<p>Please tell us your gpa and test breakdown and we can help with other colleges that might give more money so you have options if you don’t now.</p>
<p>UTexas has been focused on giving aid to instate low income students. </p>
<p>Did you run the NPC?</p>
<p>Your mom’s friend’s child may be going to a private, like Rice, which will give full aid to low income students. Those schools also require CSS Profile.</p>
<p>Where does that student go to school? Is the parent low income?</p>