What Can I Expect with my EFC?

Parents Forum
1

<p>I just checked my FAFSA online and it says my EFC is 02495. I'm assuming that means $2495? I'm glad it's that low because I'll be paying for college myself.</p>

<p>So how exactly does FAFSA work from here? Will they meet everything besides my EFC in forms of grants/loans? How much can I expect in grants as opposed to loans, or is it just kind of ambiguous?</p>

<p>I have been accepted to Indiana University and UCLA. I'm waiting to hear from USC (for which I also filled out the CSS Profile) and Pepperdine, which I expect by April 1st. I live in Indiana and have received $10K in merit aid at IU but have not received my final financial aid package. I don't expect any merit aid from the schools in California, so I was just trying to see how far FAFSA would carry me at each school. I know private schools are usually better with financial aid than public, I've heard USC is very good with financial aid, and am hoping that Pepperdine is as well.</p>

<p>What can or should I expect from each school based on my EFC? Based on what I know now, I will be going to IU because I won't have any debt when I graduate. It'd be nice to have an idea of the other schools so I know whether or not I should rule them out just yet. I don't expect to receive all of the financial aid packages much sooner than May 1st so it'd be nice to have some sort of an idea sometime soon.</p>

<p>I posted this in the Financial Aid forum but I like you parents better!</p>

2

<p>My answer is the same as the one that I posted on the FA forum.</p>

<p>You are instate in indiana. You have a 10K merit to attend IU. With your low EFC, it is the most financially feasible option for your family.</p>

<p>OOS at UCLA is going to be ~ 41k. You will not get the FA you need to attend UCLA. take this school off the table.</p>

<p>Pepperdine does not meet 100% of demonstrated need (only 85%). If there is a gap, will your family be in the postion to fill the gap ?</p>