<p>My family's EFC is approximately equal to the yearly cost of attending a University of California school (which is where I'll probably end up). Does this mean we won't get any aid?!?</p>
<p>You won't get need-based aid if the full cost of school (including room/board/books/misc) is at or below the EFC. But you should look for merit aid-- and should still file FAFSA.</p>
<p>Remember that they compare the EFC with full cost, not just tuition. For UC's, that's around 23K for a student living on campus.</p>
<p>If your EFC included a significant contribution from your (student) assets, you can spend that down the first year, and likely be eligible for some aid in the second year.</p>