so confused about financial aid packages at Columbia!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>I was browsing though the Columbia website, when I landed on this page and was left really confused: Columbia</a> University Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and Educational Financing - Financial Need & Your Eligibility</p>

<p>For the sample financial package of families with a total income of below $50,000, it states that there would still be a expected family contribution of $4,600. However, for me personally (and once again i know that it was only a sample package, but still not sure how it would apply in my case), my family income is definitely below $20,000 (not sure about the exact amount), and consequently, my EFC is 0. So, what is this all about? As I plan on applying ED, I don't want to get a totally unexpected financial aid package.</p>

<p>In addition, any scholarships one gets during high school can go first towards replacing what's not included in grants, right (such as work-study) ?</p>

<p>Thanks! (I think this will be my last thread here for a while...I should really go back to actually getting some work done rather than constantly being on CC LOL)</p>

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<p>If your entire family income is below $20k, you'll get a free ride almost anywhere you go(including Columbia), since the US poverty income line for two people with two children is $20,444. Don't worry about financing; Columbia will likely be very generous with aid considering your financial situation, as will any institution that can afford to give full scholarships. For now, sit down, relax, and make sure you've sent in the financial documents(FAFSA, Profile, Tax returns, nonfiler forms).</p>

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<p>I concur, if your efc is 0 expect a free ride from almost anywhere, excluding NYU.</p>

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<p>why does NYU's financial aid package suck so bad, when their total costs per year exceed $54k?</p>

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<p>Are you sure your family's income is below 20K? What do they do?</p>

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<p>I'm pretty sure. My mom doesn't work (not by her own choice), and my dad drives a taxi cab in the city during the night. So yeah.</p>

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<p>if you get in, you'll probably get a massive aid package, i doubt they'd make you pay for anything. if you don't have some huge assets somewhere, it's clear that they have to give you a full ride.</p>

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<p>ok, thanks for all your help guys.</p>

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<p>It could be the $4,600 in the example is the contribution expected from the student. Columbia's FA packages typically expect the student to contribute between $2000-$3000 from a summer job, and an equal amount from work study during the year. I don't know if the student contribution is expected of students from families with incomes below $30k, but it is possible.</p>

<p>But, yeah, even if they do expect that, considering the cost of attendance is around $40k, you would get a massive grant for the rest.</p>