<p>They somehow expect my family to pull $6,000 out of thin air every year for college! <em>sigh</em> Our income's less than 50k, recent family illness, zero savings... I just don't see where they think this money can come from. I know to a lot of families 6k is nothing, but to us that's HUGE! So even if I get a school that meets 100% need, where does that leave me? Do I take the "EFC" out on a loan, too? </p>
<p>I know a lotta parents are looking wide-eyed at that number, too...so what do we do about it?</p>
<p>I guess I'm officially going on an outside scholarship binge. ;)</p>
<p>I hear you loud and clear. Our EFC is 9K for our D. We live on less than 50K and my H is also a full time student and his EFC is 3K. We will pay 12K from gosh only knows where. Then the following year there will be another D in college to add to D#1 and H( dad). Somehow we will do this.............. but first we must survive all of the AP fees, app fees, CSS fees, senior pictures, announcements, cap and gown etc. IT is all of the $50 fees that begin to add up. We have been searching for scholarships and she is applying for about 10 so far. Some are $500 and others are more, but every bit will add up and help out so we are thankful for all of them.</p>
<p>College is still in your future if you so desire. If you have the stats and can get into one of those 100% need-blind, need-met schools, APPLY! If not, community college is still an affordable alternative. I know many who have had a great experience working and going to comm college. I cannot convince my D of this but many do this. One thing for sure you will always be taught by a prof.</p>
<p>Buffalo, Curmudgeon says EFC stands for "Every F...... Cent". Most agree. Hopefully, you will work this summer; maybe double shifts and make as much money as you can. And you start scrimping. Look for every way that you can save money. A penny saved is a penny earned. Also, being away from home is going to means some savings for your family in terms of food, utilities, etc. It does cost money to have the additional person at home. If you don't get work study, you work at school to meet some of that EFC. And you make sure you make some money over winter and spring breaks. If there is still a gap, yes, you take out a loan. Just hope that the financial aid package you get is light on loans and work study, so that you have more flexibility in meeting your EFC. How much are your parents going to be able to spend for your college? Are you working right now? I know kids who change their school schedule for the last semester in high school so that they can start working to earn money for college. When family income is low, colleges can appreciate that, as the money has to come from somewhere. I know I worked, and worked and worked.</p>
<p>I worked in financial aid for years. I agree, it is crazy sometimes. I would suggest that you contact the financial aid offices at the collegs your kids will attend and outline all of your circumstances. They may not be able to do much with the EFC figure, but if you still have need they can give you a better package. Simply put.. if there were 6 kids with equal need and we only had funds for one of them, the kid we knew about (squeaky wheel) often got the $. I have passed this advice on to several friends who had low incomes with crazy EFCs. Because they approached the financial aid office, sent itemized letters of explanation and spoke with FA counselors, they got very good reasonable award packages.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that even if you get outside scholarships, they are first applied to reduce your self help aid (your student loans and work study), then they are applied to reduce the grants/ scholarships that you receive from the school. In short, you would have to get enough outside scholarships to wipe out all of your financial aid before reducing your EFC (and still this would be unlikely to happen)</p>
<p>I would suggest that you and your parents look over your information to make sure that you have not made any errors (calculations or input). Then if there is something that you beleive the school should consider, then ask the FA office for a financial review.</p>
<p>Since you only have your FAFSA EFC, and you have not received any packages from your school yet, you will need to wait until yuou have the aid package to request a review. Also remember that you have applied to many public schools as an out of state resident, where their main goal is to provide an affordable education for their residents. You could end up between a rock and a hard place because they may not have the $$ to give you.</p>
<p>GOB, I went to school on heavy financial aid packages. I was always at the financial aid office sniffing out any new developments so that I would be first in line for money. They certainly knew my face and needs there. You will probably be doing the same if you want to get prime pickings. </p>
<p>As for now, I would probably write a letter as Bus52 described to each financial aid office. If they are at all receptive, you are catching them now as funds are being dispensed, instead of at the end of the process when the larder is empty. Even then you are likely to approach them again, as some kid who got money may turn down a school, though keep in mind that this factor is taken into consideration in the budget. You will be talking/writing to them a lot.
As the advice says, look over everything and think of anything that may be missed or needs highlighting and let them know. Hopefully you got some merit within aid that may go over your EFC. From previous posts there is some indication that this may be the case. But do remember that you also applied to some schools that do not meet 100% of need so you may not even get all of those costs covered, and be lucky if all you have to pay is your EFC. And, yes, unless you get one of those full grant type merit/need awards, you are very likely to have self help; ie loans, workstudy in your package which makes it more difficult to meet your EFC with more loans and work during the school year.</p>
<p>So, should I start by writing a letter to UNC? I'm already accepted, I've spoken with the director of admissions twice before (not about financial aid though), and they are flying me down in march for a free visit.</p>
<p>I don't know how to go about getting them to know me, especially since I'm OOS.</p>
<p>Outline your family's financial situation in more detail as you have done here for us. They know you are needy as you are in consideration for some scholarships that address that issue. They want you since they have already accepted you and are already doling out the money for a visit, which is unusual. SO they know you need money. It's just a matter of how much, and now you have more specific info as to what the FAFSA expects your family to pay that youc an discuss. Your visit should include some time with the financial aid officers. You are very lucky to have this opportunity to meet with them personally and discuss this situation. Many kids in your situation looking at that EFC are not yet accepted by their schools, don't have the money to visit, and are not sure how wanted they are, since they are not yet accepted. You are in good shape.</p>
<p>Ok, whew. So when I call to set up my visit (like today) should I ask for an appointment on campus with a fin. aid officer? So should I draft a letter, send it out, then meet with the officer in March, perhaps bringing a copy of that letter with me? </p>
<p>I also still haven't found out if I made it as a Pogue Scholar yet. I applied, and apps were due Jan. 5 and interviews are in mid-Feb. Should I wait to see if I get an interview for this full ride before I plea my financial case, or don't even wait and begin the process now? </p>
<p>I do wish you good luck with contacting and communicating with financial aid folks. Unfortunately, your EFC does not seem out of line. We have about double that income with some savings and our EFC not double yours but almost 4 times..</p>
<p>I hate to sound like a kill-joy but my husband and I have been saving money every money since my son was born for his education. We have driven used cars with over 150,000 miles on them. We have not gone on vacations. We live in a modest house. But education has always been a priority. If you have no college savings, you have to ask yourself why not?</p>
<p>Nervousmommy, your son is very lucky to have wonderful parents like you and your husband. Most kids are not so lucky. They did not pick their parents, nor do most kids have a whole lot of say in how the family spends their money. There is an intrinsic trust most kids have in their parents and how they are providing for the family despite disagreements. Most people are not perfect or even good with finance and have made many mistakes. Come college time, with the way college costs are these days, the talley often comes in.</p>
<p>nervousmommy:
everything you said about your family applies to mine. No college savings to speak of though. Why? Numerous completely legitimate reasons, trust me. Wonderful US immigration laws for one thing .</p>
<p>GetOuttaBuffalo:
If it's a small school, call and see who's handling your file. If it's a big scholol, go online and find out who the Director of Financial Aid is.
Write a letter (no more then 1/2 page or so) BRIEFLY stating that "My EFC is $xx and while I realize you can't do anything about that, please consider us for any grants, scholarship or subsidized loans."
Wait for your award letter. Loans, grant, sub, unsub... you'll have a mixture assuming you still have need (cost of education less EFC) Look for sub loans and Perkins. Perkins is a great loan and if there's need, the school can award it to whoever they want. If you don't like your award letter, call. Do your homework. Know which programs they offer that look good to you and ask about them. Nicely...stay on their radar. It's a fine line between being a pain and being heard. In the end, if you get nothing..at least you tried. I wrote a script out for my friend who's son was going to a mid-sized school in Chicago...she eeked out and additional 5k with one call. </p>
<p>I think the best time to do this is when you get your EFC back.</p>
<p>I agree with all the excellent advice cptofthehouse offered.</p>
<p>nervousmommy : I went from financial aid (higher education) to being a high school college counselor. It is unbelievable the things I hear about that can financially ruin a family. Death, divorce, disability can wipe out everything in a short period of time. I have a senior student who's parents just spent $30,000 for an eight week drug rehab program. Did they plan for their straight A daughter to become addicted to cocaine...No. Did they hesitate to spend her college money on the best rehab program they could find...thank God no. I realize that these are rare cases. Some people live lavishly then cry poor mouth when it comes time to pay for college. I have found, however, that this is more the exception than the rule. Life is just expensive and sometimes it's all a family can do to get by.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If you have no college savings, you have to ask yourself why not?>></p>
</blockquote>
<br>
<p>Our financial advisor many years ago told us to put our "extra" (ha ha ha) money in our retirement accounts, NOT into college savings. So our kids have no college savings either except what they earned in the summers. </p>
<p>Also, for some families, the reality is that housing costs, utilities, food and other necessities take up their earnings. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have money to save for college (or retirement...). </p>
<p>GOB has worked mighty hard to become competitive for some great scholarship awards. I hope one of them comes through. And my bet is that GOB is very willing to work as hard as possible to make up the difference.</p>
<p>nervousmommy, my dad was very ill and out of work for six months. we had to spend our savings to pay bills and eat. not only that, but my family lived on a very tight budget as well and there just wasnt a ton of money to save. what was saved was spent in times of emergency. and we didnt travel or have expensive cars either.</p>