<p>Ok so I got my financial aid award, but I don't understand why the federal grants and state grants are only offering a little bit over $2000+ each in grants. Shouldn't I be receiving more since my EFC is zero?</p>
<p>Here is a picture of my financial aid award:
<a href="http://anonmgur.com/up/1cafc68f4741f85911f4358b957a73a7.JPG%5B/url%5D">http://anonmgur.com/up/1cafc68f4741f85911f4358b957a73a7.JPG</a></p>
<p>And I also listed Work Studies in the FAFSA but it doesn't show up in my financial aid award.</p>
<p>Since your EFC is 0, the university (along with Pell Grant) has provided more than enough to cover tuition, books, and fees; 6,000 more than tuition cost. In fact, they have “discounted” your cost by approx. 48%!</p>
<p>The rest of the cost to attend SDSU is covered via loans. As such, SDSU has met 100% of your financial need to attend. </p>
<p>It would be nice to receive more grant money, but then there wouldn’t be an incentive to earn merit-scholarships which can cover 50% to 100% of attendance. The university has a finite amount of grant money and have to provide assistance to others with low to zero EFC incoming and current undergrads; not to mention to woo high achieving undergrad and grad students too. </p>
<p>As for work-study, it may have been categorized under the School Grant or Education Opportunity links.</p>
<p>You can also request the FinAid office to re-view your aid to see if they can reduce the amount of loans.</p>
<p>Please remember to add up your grants from fall and spring, you should note that the differences and totals more than cover your tuition and fees.</p>
<p>My main concern is that I am split 50/50 on loans and grants. I want more money from grants rather than loans. And SDSU is offering almost the same amount which is really frustrating.</p>
<p>You need to remember that San Diego State is a public school and they do not offer scholarships like private schools. You are receiving the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant available and the maximum amount of State Grant available. The only way they have to make up the difference for you is through loans.</p>
<p>@coralbrook</p>
<p>But the maximum amount on Federal Pell Grant is nearly $5,500. So I actually don’t have the maximum amount.</p>
<p>And my parents credit is horrible so I won’t be able to receive the parent plus loans, so in reality my financial aid will not cover everything.</p>
<p>i also have a question. for the “expenses related to your cost of attendence” we don’t really have to pay for that if you are not living at the campus right? because for me i’m living with my parents and i dont pay them for food or housing so wouldnt i just delete that cost from the expenses?</p>
<p>@Gunner4Life The Pell Grant is approximately $5500 per year, not per semester. If you add your fall and spring awards together, you have received the maximum amount. You will not be eligible to receive more. If you are looking for more financial assistance, apply for scholarships. Some SDSU scholarships have a deadline of May 9th. I received nothing as far as financial aid goes, except for student loans. And those did not cover my financial need.</p>
<p>@soueater Those costs are an estimate of what the average student living off campus will have to pay. The purpose of the number is to give students an idea of the total cost of going to SDSU. The expenses (beyond tuition and books) are as cheap or as expensive as you make them.</p>
<p>@knhofto thank you. so the money i receive for financial aid can be used just for my tuition and books?</p>
<p>@soueater It depends on the kind of aid you get. Your tuition and mandatory fees will first be deducted from you aid, then you will be issued the rest of your aid through direct deposit or check. You can then use the money for books and other expenses. Some grants and scholarships, when used to pay for expenses other than books or tuition, will be taxed. So save your receipts! </p>
