I signed up and was accepted to a vocational rehabilitation program that pays the unfunded portion of my undergraduate education at the University of Tennessee. First I must pay my EFC of 3757 before the program will pay. It amounts to they want to wring me and every other source of money before they pick up a dime. The trouble is for the year that is being considered i made under 18k in income, and 7500 of that was unemployment benefits. I am single with no dependents but I just dont understand how a person who was unemployed the year in question can be expected to contribute close to 4k towards their college education. Its called rock bottom-i was there-education is my way out-how can i pay that much? If anyone can help me make sense of my EFC or steps to appeal this i would greatly appreciate it!
It is not a matter of the vocational rehab program trying to wring every dime out of you. Whether or not you get the unfounded portion you will still have to pay your EFC. If you do not get the unfunded pirtion you will be responsible for paying that and your EFC
One way might be be a 3500 federal direct student loan and 257 out of pocket.
True sybbie. I dont mind paying my fair share. I work 40 hours a week and go to school full time as well. The tuition assistance through my employer pays 80% of my tuition and fees. The problem is 1. A janitor living on his own doesnt have 3757 stuffed in his mattress. 2. The unfunded portion is under what my EFC is. I owe 1200 for the semester plus books and voc rehab wont pay until i meet the 3757 number. Im just a janitor and i cant understand how im supposed to meet that.
Are you sure your EFC is correct? Most families with an EFC under $25k have an automatic EFC of $0.
This isn’t a family. It’s an independent student.
If you believe your EFC was calculated incorrectly, you should discuss that with the financial aid office at your school.
Another thing you can do is log into the FAFSA and print out all your answers and double-check them.
If you have any concerns that you filled out something incorrectly, reread the help sections on the FAFSA website or download the free book “Edvisors guide to the FAFSA” (google that phrase, it should be the first hit)
But again, you should qualify for a subsidized student loan to cover most of the amount they think you should pay, so it is possible for you to go to college.
Are you planning to work full time while going to college?