<p>Since there are so many experienced people on this site i was wondering if someone could share how much aid people usually get when their fafsa efc is 0.
This is my case, I live outside America but am an American citizen. I have no clue about the amount which i will actually have to pay- could someone please help.
I am applying to 5 publics and 5 privates. And sadly i am not one of those perfect score-ivy league only-geniuses. I am an average applicant with a 2000 sat score and good ec's and good gpa.
If someone has any advice or names of scholarships i should apply to- then please tell...........................</p>
<p>yeah... i'm wondering the same thing. I'm definitly applying for fin aid--no reason not to. but I don't think I'll get anything. combined family income >$150,000. What about a younger sibling? Will she get any while I'm in college?</p>
<p>Kind of late for this reality check, before you formulated your list and applied would have been better, but then again, not as bad as figuring it out next spring when the FA offers come rolling in.</p>
<p>0 EFC could mean many things, depending on if a school meets 100% of need or if it gaps. And even if it meets 100% of need, the FA package is made up of some combination of grants, loans and workstudy. So that could mean anything from all loans at one school to all grants at H, and everywhere inbetween.</p>
<p>Do understand that outside scholarships (I'm assuming that's what you're referring to) can affect FA, usually replacing loans first, then workstudy and finally grants.</p>
<p>Finaid.com is an excellent site that can help answer many of your questions.</p>
<p>John, You are right with a family income of 150k you will likely have zero need according to FAFSA, but it does depend on individual circumstances. The Profile is more variable and could get you institutional aid at some schools. The way that EFC works is that your family is expected to pay the same total amount no matter how many kids are going to college. For example, if your EFC is 40k and only you are going to school, your family would be expected to pay that much towards your schooling. If both you and your sister are attending, both you and she would have EFC's of 20k, equaling 40k total for your family.</p>
<p>Remember too that a FAFSA EFC of zero does not necessarily translate into a school finding your EFC as zero. If the school uses the Profile, it considers much more by way of assets than does the FAFSA. It could find that your EFC is greater than zero.</p>
<p>There are really no other factors that would help. Calculating assets and considering i have no older sibilings would not help my EFC as determined by a college. oh well.
one more question: Is fin aid decision a one-time thing, or can I apply for fin aid every year during college?</p>
<p>John,
You apply every year. But be aware, some (many?) schools require you to have applied for FA as a freshman and every subsequent year. In other words, if you don't apply as an entering Freshman, and your financial situation changes in Sophomore year, you won't be able to apply for FA. So, even though you likely won't get FA this year, make sure your parents fill out the forms anyway. It is extra work, but if your situation changes down the line, you will at least have that option.</p>
<p>I just took a look at your stats profile and college list, your grades and scores look great! And I really like your list of schools, all excellent academically and all offering merit aid, good thinking. My D is a freshman in Ann Arbor this year where she has a full ride Shipman scholarship. She also got $$ from Rice and Emory. Be aware that at least last year, scholarship interviews for UM, Emory and WUSTL overlapped, making for a very tough decision. However, Emory did give a 2/3 tuition scholarship even without attending.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>