I am confused..

<p>I am a junior in high school and my grades throughout 9th and 10th grade weren't so great. However, I have managed to dramatically bring my GPA up. I really want to go to UCSB. Let's say I were to be admitted, my family income is extremely low and they can probably only contribute as little as 2,000. I know 2,000 is nothing compared to the college rates, especially UCSB. Will I be able to receive enough financial aid to cover my tuition/housing & board? Also, my backup plan if I don't get admitted to UCSB is to attend SBCC first then transfer to UCSB. I live in LA.from former high school students, I assume FAFSA usually covers for almost all tuition for a CC. How about housing/board?</p>

<p>California has a decent system for low income students like yourself in addition to the Federal options. Look up the financial aid sections of the schools you are interested in and also Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, Cal grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Pell grants, Stafford loans, Federal Work Study. A combination of these will probably cover your tuition and room & board.</p>

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Try to run its NPC <a href=“Net Price Calculator - UCSB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships”>http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/AidEstimator.aspx&lt;/a&gt;. Also see <a href=“http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/how-aid-works/index.html[quote]Students:”>http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/how-aid-works/index.html

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<p>Thank you so much! Much appreciated. </p>

<p>Thank you! This really helped. </p>

<p>You have to run your EFC to see what your family portion might be. If you have 0 efc, for instance</p>

<p>For U You will likely get all cost covered including tuition fees, room board, books personal and transportation and even health insurance but you will be given federal loans and work study and be expected to contribute summer earnings.</p>

<p>For CSU you will just get tuition paid under pell and cal grant and a little extra but you will be expected to commute.</p>

<p>For CC you will just get pell grant up to 5,730 per year and you can borrow your student loan. So, no, your housing can’t be covered.</p>

<p>So it really pays to try to get into UC if you have very low income.</p>