Right, this is pretty straightforward to me, you give them numbers of commutable CCC, commutable Cal 4 yr if that is feasible, and residential Cal 4 yr school (realistic schools for your stats, not OOS dreams) and then work from there. Room and board at most schools is going to be at least 12K a year, that is the first cost to consider. That is near 50K for 4 years. If that is off the table, then your options are clearer. 12K a year is a LOT of money to pay for a kid to live in a dorm for 2 semesters. Then you have tuition costs to consider.
The net price calculators usually don’t ask if only one parent is reporting. @ucbalumnus yes…the CA publics only use custodial parent information…BUT the net proceeds calculators are not set up for just one parent UNLESS the NPC specifically asks if the parents are divorced, widowed. Etc.
This student will likely be eligible for the Calgrant. Add to that the $5500 Direct Loan…and then any contribution the parents will be making.
@lemondrop77, I get your frustration and worry. It’s as if you are having to be the grownup in this situation, but without the information to do so.
So, if I were you I would add up the full cost of the California publics you think you have a chance of being admitted to (including books and fees) and subtract the $5500 yearly amount of student loans you can legally take out for yourself. Let’s call that amount “X”. Guestimate what her income and assets are, try to determine your EFC, and we’ll call that amount “Z.”
Then, the next time your mom withholds monetary information from you (or won’t fill out the FAFSA) and tells you to not worry about it, then say politely “Really? so you’ve saved up enough to pay “X” amount per year for me ? Because that’s what “Cal State Y” costs above above and beyond my student loans without financial aid. And if I’m estimating your income correctly, you might be paying about “Z” amount per year with financial aid but that’s impossible to know without filling out the FAFSA.” If your mom really has no clue how expensive college is these days, maybe the reality of hearing hard numbers will shock her to action.
It’s very possible this student will also qualify for the Calgrant…so that amount would also get subtracted from the cost of attendance,
^^ OK, thank you…I’m very unfamiliar with California…
Are there siblings at home?
Thank you all! I ran the NPC for 3 schools I know I’m going to apply to, showed the result to both of them and asked if they’re sure they can pay it. I only got a “I doubt that’s accurate” and a “Don’t stress over it.”… Lol. Seems like it should be straightforward but it’s not. Grrr.
@mommdc No, no siblings. I’m not living with my parents right now, but my aunt. My cousins who are in community college live with me. How do I go about specifying that? Or do I even need to?
You don’t specify your aunt or cousins at all.
@thumper1 So on the NPC’s I just put 2 for number of people in household for my mom and I even though we don’t live together. Does that give me an accurate result?
Do your parents live in California?
@Sybylla Yes they do.
From my perspective, I need deadlines spelled out. Something along the line of “to have the best chance of getting aid, I need to be applying by Nov 1. So can we sit down by Oct 15th?” Not sure what those dates would be for your area, but I know that I am more likely to act if there is a deadline and repercussions for not acting.
An alternative is perhaps going to a cash 4 college workshop? I know very little on UC system, but found a note that they provide assistance completing the FAFSA paperwork. A group setting might help. But again, since people tend to put things off, see if your mom might be willing to attend an earlier date - the site says they start in October.
Yes…you put a household of two.
I think to avoid paralysis, you just need to get an application in to your local commutable CCC, how much did your NPCs estimate for the schools you presented to your parents?