<p>Because I am definitely no genius, I only got need-based award from Rice haha.</p>
<p>Anyways, regarding the statement "Merit Awards are determined as part of the admissions process. Need based awards are determined by the institutional Expected Family Contribution (EFC) computed from the documentation on file."</p>
<p>My EFC was around $30,100.
My Rice package assigns me about $20,000 leaving me to pay $30,000 remaining... which would make a whole lot of sense if my family wasn't already supporting my college student brother.
I thought EFC was split in two if two people were to attend college for that aid year?</p>
<p>Also, I was offered a Rice Tuition grant of $7097 first semester then $7100 the second... could this be a typo by any chance? Haha just curious why they would take away the $3 first semester.</p>
<p>Sorry for the specific questions but I hope the more experienced can help! </p>
<p>Okay summary:</p>
<ol>
<li>EFC supposed to be split among siblings, no? Should I email them to find out if there was a mistake?</li>
<li>Would they really take away $3 on purpose?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>^I’m not quite sure about most of your questions, but I have the same $3 difference on my grant. I have no idea why…</p>
<p>Because clearly, spring semester is always $3 more expensive than the fall semester. :)</p>
<p>Your EFC should already have taken into account the number of siblings you have in school when it was calculated, so no, it is not split up (although I wish that were the case).</p>
<p>And not sure why the difference is $3, my aid package this year differed by $1 from fall to spring semester since the aid given was an odd amount.</p>
<p>
FAFSA EFC? It’s not always exactly the same as what the PROFILE figures you can pay. With us, it has been the same every time, but we have very little in the way of assets. Your family may have more…
Anyway, total fixed costs at Rice will be about $45,500. - $20,000 FA package = $25,000 you pay in fixed costs, plus personal expenses and transportation (which you can earn in the summer). You say your EFC is $30,000… Looks to me that they have MORE than met your need, because you will pay only $25,000 in fixed costs, plus $1,500 personal expenses and $1000 or so for travel. Great Financial aid package!!!
Edit: Oh, I see. You are questioning your EFC amount. Well, check and make sure that your FA papers show 2 in college. But, yes, your EFC is for you and should already include consideration of sibling in college.</p>