<p>Does that really mean that you (probably) won't have to pay anything?
I asked this to a counselor at a rather expensive private school I was considering and she laughed at me.
But I'm talking about a state school...UNO/MTSU/etc. Even though I'm eligible for aid, will I actually get it? Who determines that? I sent out my FAFSA on January 1, and I haven't heard anything yet. If anyone knows anything about this, I'd really appreciate it.</p>
<p>@musicisawesome(I agree), … it depends where you go. If your total federal grants meet COA, then you won’t pay anything. But this might mean a community college. If your COA is greater, then your need could be “met” with loans and work study, which is paid by you, or not met at all. Any aid above and beyond any State/Federal programs are determined by each institution. You should be VERY active in searching for programs in your county/state.
Good luck</p>
<p>I agree that local and state public institutions will give you a better deal, financially. Loans and work study will most probably be part of the package a private school will offer you and if you decline those, then you have to make up the difference out of your own pocket. It could end up being a pretty high figure, in that case. But every school is definitely different and has their own way of looking at and calculating things.</p>
<p>
This is not a given - there have been many stories on here where the aid offered by a private made that school cheaper than a public. A lot depends on how attractive a candidate you are.</p>
<p>Generally, EFC = minimum you will pay, not the maximum. Most public schools do not give out a lot of need-based aid. Some give out decent merit aid, if you can qualify. So there is a good chance that most or all the “aid” you get from a public school will be loans, and there is a good chance you will get “gapped” - when your grants+loans < COA, the difference is the “gap”.</p>
<p>But I’m talking about a state school…UNO/MTSU/etc.</p>
<p>Usually, those with low incomes and 0 EFCs only get “free rides” at top schools…mostly privates. And, many of those schools require CSS Profile as well (and info from any non-custodial parents)</p>
<p>Most state schools and most privates do NOT have the funding to meet needs of its low income students.</p>
<p>What are UNO and MTSU? </p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Well now I’m still confused, but thanks for the input, yall 
What I’m wondering is…I was told that because of special situations, I would automatically be eligible for the full amount of the Pell Grant, which is about the same price as the school I’m going to. I’m also eligible for my state’s aid program, which gives full tuition to a public college in my state.
I’m just afraid that they’re all of a sudden going to say “no” and then I won’t be able to pay for college at all. Can that happen?
I realize I know very little about this. Being a homeschooler, I’m kind of doing this on my own here.</p>
<p>The first thing to remember is the word “Estimated”. It’s an estimate - not a firm figure, and it is based on one interpretation of the numbers.
The next thing to remember is that schools (with a FEW exceptions) don’t have the money to meet everyone’s need.
Finally, each school has different rules and priorities and sources of funding.
Bottom line - you can’t be sure of what will happen. Sometimes a state school will have the best bottom line, sometimes, it will be a private school.
Since you are a homeschooler, you’ll have a lot of work to do - because you don’t have a college counselor to help you through it all. Apply to a range of schools, send in everything they ask for. When the offers arrive, compare them carefully. SOme may have larger loans.</p>
<p>*…I was told that because of special situations, I would automatically be eligible for the full amount of the Pell Grant, which is about the same price as the school I’m going to. I’m also eligible for my state’s aid program, which gives full tuition to a public college in my state.
*</p>
<p>Yes, you will get “full Pell” with an EFC of 0…which is $5550 per YEAR.</p>
<p>What state are you in? If you get state aid for tuition, then you’ll be able to use your Pell Grant for other costs.</p>
<p>Is this college a school that you can commute to? If not, how much is room and board?</p>
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</p>
<p>No, that won’t happen. Sometimes the amount of aid changes due to state or federal budget constraints, but schools will award you the Pell and state aid that you’re entitled to.</p>
<p>"What are UNO and MTSU? </p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>What are your stats?"</p>
<p>University of New Orleans and Middle Tennessee State University. I’m a Louisiana resident, but if I go to MTSU, I will move there. I might start at UNO and transfer to MTSU after a year.
I’ve got a 3.0 and a 29 ACT with 35 English/23 Math.
Is there federal aid for merit as well?</p>
<p>Merit aid comes directly from the school. Some schools will list on their websites the guidelines for their merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Your EFC just determines if you are eligible for federal aid like the Pell grant. Schools may offer you additional need based aid also. However, most state schools do not offer much financial aid other than the federal money you would be eligible for to out of state students.</p>
<p>It is very difficult to change your residency while in school. Most states will require you to live at least one year in that state prior to beginning school.</p>
<p>“It is very difficult to change your residency while in school. Most states will require you to live at least one year in that state prior to beginning school.”</p>
<p>Does this only apply to transfers? I’ve never heard this before.
What about “intent to become a permanent resident?” Or the academic common market?</p>
<p>It applies to anyone. You can’t just move to a new state and begin attending as a resident student.</p>
<p>Academic Common Market or similar exchange programs (WUE) are specific exceptions which have limited application.</p>
<p>So if I would spend one year in my home state of Louisiana, then transfer to MTSU the next year, I would still be able to attend there? I plan to major in Recording Industry, which is part of the Academic Common Market. So with that, would I be eligible for instate tuition? This is probably a dumb question, but would I lose my Pell Grant?
Sorry for all the questions.</p>
<p>Pell grant has nothing to do with residency - it is a Federal program. </p>
<p>You could transfer to MTSU your Sophomore year, but you would be charged out-of-state tutition rates which are much higher than resident. You are NOT a resident of Tennessee. Also know that transfer students (especially out-of-state) usually get less aid than in-state Freshman. If money is an issue then forget about out going to an out-of-state public. </p>
<p>The only way to get Tennessee residency is to live and work in the state for a year PRIOR to enrolling in school.</p>
<p>Check into out-of-state schools with tuition reciprocity/exchange programs that cover Louisiana.</p>
<p>[Southern</a> Regional Education Board](<a href=“http://home.sreb.org/acm/states.aspx]Southern”>Southern Regional Education Board)</p>
<p>The Academic Common Market is limited to programs not offered at your in-state schools, though.</p>
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</p>
<p>NO…even at generous schools where you might get significant need based aid, there is usually a student contribution (although some schools award work study to low income students to fulfill this).</p>
<p>Students with $0 EFCs need to consider LOTS of options. First, you need to determine if your family can help you with college expenses at all. Then look to see if your state has any need based grants for low income students (and see if you meet the qualifications for those). Then…start crafting a list of schools.</p>
<p>If you are a very high stats kiddo (very high GPA and very high SAT/ACT scores), you might be a competitive applicant for one of the generous schools that meet full financial need for all students. Most of these schools are very competitive, however, and admissions really isn’t a sure thing even for the most qualified applicant.</p>
<p>Look at schools where you might be eligible for SIGNIFICANT merit aid. Look for schools that are low cost or schools where you can commute from home (saving money by doing so). Consider doing your first two years at a community college at a lower cost and then transfering to a four year school to finish your bachelors degree. If you do this…look for a community college with articulation agreement with four year schools whereby your courses will be accepted and you will gain acceptance to the four year school. </p>
<p>Keep an open mind and look at your goal. Your goal is to get your bachelors degree. This is something you CAN do but it may take some compromises on your part.</p>
<p>The recording degree at MTSU is covered under the Academic Common Market so you would be charged in state rates. I don’t know if you can be a transfer student and still receive that discount. If you have not already, I would suggest you contact your state representative for the program.</p>
<p>The COA for MTSU even at the instate tuition rate is still $18,000. Do you think that will be financially possible in your situation? It would be hard to pass up free tuition in your own state.</p>
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<p>MTSU is not in your state…it’s in Tennessee. Even though your program is under the academic common market guideline…this does not necessarily mean you can use that state aid scholarship for a public college in YOUR state at a college outside of your state. CHECK THAT. </p>
<p>The reality is that the Pell grant alone will not cover the costs of the school in Tennessee. </p>
<p>Having the Pell in addition to having full tuition covered may very well make it possible for you to attend college IN Louisiana…but not elsewhere (using that tuition award).</p>
<p>Thumper is right.</p>
<p>Typically, state aid is for tuition help for public college in THAT STATE.</p>
<p>I don’t think Louisiana state aid can be used out of state.</p>
<p>BTW…the recording industry is a tough industry…do NOT borrow much for your undergrad.</p>