<p>I got my Award Letter and they met my full need. Well, it was short by $250.. but that's chump change. </p>
<p>I recieved 19,800 and the estimated price is 20,050. </p>
<p>But, the package consists of unsub loans, sub loans, Bright Futures (scholarship), UF's Presidential Scholarship, and a Parent Plus loan.</p>
<p>Basically, what I am asking is.. is it good that they met my need or is it bad because majority is in loans?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Publics don’t usually meet need, and when they do so, it’s usually not with “free money.”</p>
<p>What was your EFC?</p>
<p>What is the exact breakdown of your FA package.</p>
<p>What is the breakdown of UF’s cost for tuition, fees, room, board, books?</p>
<p>Was the Plus loan to cover EFC?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the primary responsibility to pay for college rests with the family.</p>
<p>My EFC was 9200</p>
<p>Breakdown: (Totals are per year)
FED DIRECT SUB LOAN: 2,377
FED DIRECT UNSUB LOAN: 3,123
FLORIDA MEDALLION SCHOLAR: 2,820
PARENT PLUS LOAN: 6,536
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP: 5,000</p>
<p>*Both Bright Futures and PResidential Scholarship are renewable wvery year with a 3.0 GPA (which I’m capable of maintaining). Don’t have to worry about losing them.</p>
<p>Cost of Attendance:
Undergrad On/Off Campus
*Tuition / Fees $5,700
Books and Supplies 1,070 - this could be less if you rent or buy used books
Computer/Cell Phone 1,230 - doesn’t apply. parents already budgeted for cell phone monthly costs and already have appropriate computer
Housing 5,250
Food 3,550 - could be less… this is estimated off the meal plan
Transportation 530
Clothing Maintenance 650
Personal / Health Insurance 1,840 - doesn’t apply… able to stay on parent’s health care til 26
Total Budget $19,820</p>
<p>i don’t look at loans as money they give … it’s loans you have access to if you need them - you are getting $7820 per year and min expenses are going to be about $15K; If everyone is okay with about 8K per year in loans (or less if you or parents have cash to pay) - then it’s a good package.</p>
<p>cool. yeah loans are scary. it’s a necessary evil. i only have 2 years left… already have my AA. 16,000 in debt is not bad at all at graduation. thanks for the insight,</p>
<p>Ok…</p>
<p>Basic costs at UF…</p>
<p>Tuition / Fees $5,700
Books and Supplies 1,070 - this could be less if you rent or buy used books
Housing 5,250</p>
<h2>Food 3,550 -</h2>
<p>Total basic costs about $16k</p>
<p>2820 BF </p>
<h2>5000 Presidential Scholar (is this a NMF award or what?)</h2>
<p>7820 in “free money” </p>
<p>9200 EFC</p>
<h2>7820 free money</h2>
<p>17,020 </p>
<p>I don’t see why you have to take out ANY loans. It looks like the Plus loan is to go towards EFC (are your parents paying that)?</p>
<p>I would think that if you worked a summer job, you could have money for “personal expenses” without the need for any loans.</p>
<p>What do you think?</p>
<p>No, my parents are not… </p>
<p>They are already making the payments on a car (needed it for school, no bus service)</p>
<p>And, I have about 2,000 saved from a job… i think if i really penny pinch, i can make it. i really don’t want the Parent Plus Loan because of the interest rate.</p>
<p>I really have no idea what the Presidential Scholarship is… I received a letter out of the blue saying “congratulations…” I’m not complaining! I have been disqualified from a bunch of “first-year” scholarships because I have “too many” dual enrollment hours…</p>
<p>Again, thanks for everyone’s insight. This is all new to me.</p>
<p>Also, I am starting this summer in a program that involves full-time participation… a “bridge program of sorts for engineering”… so no new job any time soon. :-(</p>
<p>Well, it looks like you’ll have to take the student loans to cover your parents EFC. </p>
<p>Actually, if you get your credits sent to Florida, you should have junior standing AND be able to get a $7500 student loan. That should help.</p>
<p>Hopefully, Kelsmom or someone can chime in and say how you can get your student loan increased to reflect your “real” standing. </p>
<p>So…</p>
<p>Tuition / Fees $5,700
Books and Supplies 1,070 - this could be less if you rent or buy used books
Housing 5,250</p>
<h2>Food 3,550 -</h2>
<p>Total basic costs about $16k</p>
<p>2820 BF </p>
<h2>5000 Presidential Scholar </h2>
<p>7820 in “free money” </p>
<p>7500 student loan</p>
<h2>7820 free money</h2>
<p>15,320 … So, almost all basic costs covered. You can lessen your book expenses by looking for deals. And, you can lessen costs with a more economical meal plan.</p>
<p>Also, find a part-time job DURING the school year to help with day to day expenses.</p>
<p>Thanks, mom2collegekids!</p>
<p>I have done the math and have figured out. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey ufgator18!</p>
<p>I was admitted to UF as well. I hope I can offer some advice…I was talking to my friend, who was admitted last year, and he was telling me that the Cost of Attendance estimate is not exact, you can probably get away saving yourself some money. He mentioned that the costs could be reduced, for example: if you already own a laptop, then you can take that cost out of the way, there are various other things. Just remember these Cost of Attendance are only estimates and can sometimes be over estimated. Another example is the cost of books, in some semesters you might only have to spend 400 dollars in books instead, hypothetically speaking. IDK its just something to keep in mind. Just trying to help out! :)</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>yes, what i did was took their numbers and subtracted my scholarship money and other costs (like computer, cell phone, healthcare, etc.) and got it down to 8600 before any loans… sounds good to me. THANKS EVERYONE! :-)</p>
<p>Very excited over the prospect of COllege only costing 9,000 a year…</p>
<p>I submitted my FAFSA on january 27,2011 and still haven’t recieved my Awards letter. Is anyone else still waiting to receive their UF financial aid package?</p>