<p>I dont understand why i as an independent student at age 18 with an income of little more than $7,000 can have an EFC of more than double what some of my friends with two parents who they are dependent upon have for an EFC. My EFC is $4,900 and even if they think my social security will continue to be $9,000 a year i still only make less than $17,000 and my friends with their parents and their income make anywhere from $40,000-$70,000 a year. It doesnt make any sense to me that they have a lower EFC. Is anyone else getting an EFC that is not comparable to their friends.</p>
<p>maybe its because they expect you to be able to spend more of your money on your education but they expect your friends parents to have large mortgages and younger kids to take care of... i really don't know, but just a guess.</p>
<p>student income and assets are tapped at a much higher rate than parent income and assets. If you friends had similiar income and assets PLUS their parents had income and assets, they should have higher EFC's.</p>
<p>If you will be going to school and working less, which will impact your income level -- or anything else that impacts your income level -- talk to the school about an appeal.</p>
<p>This doesn't make sense. They're tapped at a greater rate for a dependent student, not an independent one. An income of 17000 shoudl not lead to an EFC of 4900. What I'm wondering if they mistook you for dependent, not independent. Then that efc would make more sense. Otherwise, do you have a lot of assets? An inheritance, or life insurance, maybe? That could explain it. It surely isn't because they think that people with parents should get to have higher mortgages and so pay less tuition; that would be really unjust.</p>
<p>I think you need to contact your school; something here is not making sense.</p>
<p>wow -- I wondered how this could be, but I just ran the numbers in the FAFSA calculator and I came up with an EFC of $5044.</p>
<p>I put down $8000 income, $9000 on worksheet A (untaxed social security benefits) and $200 in cash on hand -- and that is it.</p>
<p>I suppose, though, that with $9000 in social security, why couldn't you pay for the EFC? the social security benefits are from the government and are to be used for month to month expenses and that is what you would be using it for.</p>
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I dont understand why i as an independent student at age 18 with an income of little more than $7,000 can have an EFC of more than double what some of my friends with two parents who they are dependent upon have for an EFC.
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<p>Because at 18 years old in the eyes of the FAFSA and the federal government, you are not an independent student. according to FAFSA, you must be in one of the following categories:</p>
<p>Will you be working on a degree beyond a bachelor's degree, such as a master's or doctorate, in school year 2006-2007?</p>
<p>As of the date you will be submitting the FAFSA, are you married? (Answer yes if you are separated, but not divorced.)</p>
<p>Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you, or do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2007? </p>
<p>Are you an orphan or ward of the court or were you a ward of the court until age 18?</p>
<p>Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?</p>
<p>Are you currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces for other than training purposes?</p>
<p>If you cannot say yes to any of the above questions, you are a dependent student.</p>
<p>While you maybe collecting social security benefits, is one of you family members also receiving an income? IF yes, then the efc is a combination of both you and your parent where your income will be assessed at a higher rate.</p>
<p>That's interesting that SS counts so much more; I guess they expect him to live on air.</p>
<p>OTOH, SS benefits normally end at 18 (not at 21 like when I was in school, unfortunately), so this should drastically change after the benefits are over.</p>
<p>Actually, looking back on my own experience, I still remember trying to understand why I got so little aid, when my Mom.working full-time, made almost nothing. It was that the SS was supposed to be for college (problem was, it was helping pay the mortgage). Mom and I both took out huge loans; I guess that would be your answer, too.</p>
<p>But it should change after you stop receiving SS.</p>