<p>While income can refer to assets, the value of the primary home (property) is not factored into FAFSA or, if I recall correctly, the CSS profile that many private colleges use. This is how many of those who live in extravagant homes tend to receive low EFCs despite having similar income to those with a much higher EFC who might have been saving what income (money) they earned.</p>
<p>It’s a well known trick to spend down your accounts with things you need or “need” to lower your EFC and many people are guilty of this. I deliberately bought my replacement laptop early so I would have less money in my bank account when I fill out my FAFSA for next year.</p>
<p>I come from an extremely well educated family (grandpa: bachelors from UCB, masters from Harvard; mother: bachelors from James Madison, masters from CSUEB; brother: bachelors from Chico State; father: bachelors from I have no idea where and I could care less). My mother makes a high school teacher’s salary yet lives in a decent home in a good neighborhood that is worth far more than she could ever have afforded on her income with its current value. But by the standards for the Blue and Gold program, we are “low income.”</p>
<p>Are we low class?</p>
<p>You can own property (as well as have power and prestige) and have a low income in the terms of financial aid.</p>
<p>UCs are still low compared to private schools. I understand people being upset about the huge fee increase, but protesting UC or Cal State systems isn’t going to do any good. It’s the fault of the governator and the representatives in Sacramento who completely jacked up our states budget that caused this. Technically EVERYONE is on a partial state scholarship because it costs much more for each individuals education than they are actually paying. The state pays a big chunk of your tuition if you go to a Cal State, UC or california community college. Since the state cut the school funding “aka your partial state scholarship”, everyone is having to raise their fees in order to keep the schools going. </p>
<p>Now that I’ve gone on my rant, it is not the university of california who should be protested against, its the democrats AND republicans running california into the ground.</p>
<p>I know it’s tough and unfair. But we have got to get an entirely new group of people running California because trust me, next year is going to be even worse for all of us. I’m transfering next year to either one of the cal polys or a UC school, and I am unhappy about the fee increases. I’m going to have to pay most of my tuition with student loans.</p>