<p>The FAFSA at every other school I got into displays my EFC at about $28,000. USC, for whatever reason, determined it to be $41,000, way out of my range. When I heard USC covered 100% of need, I thought it would be an option no matter what, and had planned to attend from the second I got accepted. Yes, they covered 100% of my "need" but I still can't go! I'm just really frustrated that this is stopping me from attending, and I called/wrote a letter thinking it was a mistake but they claim it wasn't. So how, exactly, did USC decide that I'm rich?</p>
<p>do your parents own your house? that had a significant effect on my efc at usc as compared to other schools</p>
<p>Yes they do, they fully paid it off a while ago. Does USC expect them to sell their house to pay for my college??? That’s absolutely ridiculous!</p>
<p>Unfortunately the amount of equity in your parents home is factored into the FA calculations.</p>
<p>USC uses the CSS/Profile to determine your need. The FAFSA EFC only applies to Federal aid. At your FAFSA EFC, that is $5,500 in Stafford Loans.</p>
<p>For USC grants, the FAFSA EFC is not used at all.</p>
<p>Please read the first two pages here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html?highlight=faq+financial+aid+2010[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/839970-faq-usc-financial-aid-2010-a.html?highlight=faq+financial+aid+2010</a> . If you still have questions, you can search that thread or post a question on it.</p>
<p>
Just to clarify - I know you kids are upset, so you leave things out - you mention in other posts that USD did not provide financial aid that made it possible for you to attend and that two of your safties are unaffordable, so it wasn’t quite every other school.</p>
<p>Alamemom, every other school displayed my EFC at $28,000. Whether or not they fully covered it was on an individual basis. Unlike USC, USD does not cover 100% of need. In fact, they covered less than 50% of mine, making my top safety (USD) unaffordable.</p>
<p>It’s so disappointing that USC determined this. I really thought it was the place for me, and it’s a shame that money is getting in the way of nearly all my options.</p>
<p>Thank you for clearing up that the other schools you mention did not calculate your aid using your $28,000 FAFSA EFC - your first post gave that mistaken impression. The school you found affordable was a school that offered significant merit aid, not need-based.</p>
<p>Again, USC uses the CSS/Profile that considers assets the FAFSA does not, such as home equity. This is not a secret - it is the way they calculate all packages.</p>
<p>Your FAFSA EFC is used ONLY to distribute Federal aid. With a $28,000 FAFSA EFC you are eligible for a $3,500 subsidized Stafford loan and a $2,000 Stafford unsubsidized for a total of $5,500 - did you receive those? If so, you received all the federal aid for which a $28,000 FAFSA EFC qualifies you.</p>
<p>As for the additional contribution from equity (I am assuming you did not read the FAQ thread to which I directed you) a wild guess would be that your parents have an approximate $120,000/year income and a fully paid off house. Home equity is capped at 2X income for a maximum of $240,000 of which 5.6% is considered available for college = $13,440. That amount added to your $28,000 FAFSA EFC = $41,440.</p>
<p>No, to access $13,440 from a fully paid-off home worth in excess of $240,000 your parents would not have to sell the house. Some use home equity loans, some economize and contribute more from income and savings, some use Parent PLUS loans, and some do what you are doing and choose a school that offered significant merit aid. You have selected what I feel is the best option.</p>
<p>Best of luck at Gonzaga - it is a very good school.</p>
<p>Thanks for clearing that up, at least now I know for sure a mistake wasn’t made. It really hurts that something I have no control over is preventing me from going to USC. Oh well, my parents have made it clear that they refuse to take any of the parent plus loans offered to me on top of the subsidized/unsubsidized student loans mentioned. And it really doesn’t make sense when Gonzaga will cost me even less than my local state school.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help alamemom, best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Your parents are very smart people, and Gonzaga is going to be great. Gonzaga has made it clear that YOU are a student they really want, and that must feel good. Your hard work in earning that merit scholarship is what made it cost less than your state school - I am sure your parents are very proud, and you can be proud that you have helped them financially by earning that scholarship. Dive into Gonzaga and in a year you won’t be able to see yourself anywhere else.</p>