<p>So I applied to 5 UCs and am wondering when the Financial Aid/Scholarship application process starts and how it works. I couldn't take advantage of student aid at my community college because my parents haven't done the taxes in many years, but they're trying to get their 2009 Income Tax Return finished(since I can't go to university without it). I'm also planning on visiting my school's Financial Aid office on Monday... yeah... parents are borderline homeless and are eager for me to go on to University so they can runaway to an island and live off the land... hahaha! California born/raised and pretty sure EFC is $0. Also wondering about room and board, textbooks, etc.; parent's won't be able to contribute anything and neither they nor I have anything in our savings.</p>
<p>So... basically when does the process start, how does it work and where can I get information about the multiple ways to take advantage of student aid.</p>
<p>Thanks! Also wondering what kind of life I'll be living while going to university.(ex. how much I'll have to work jobwise... not studywise)</p>
<p>Kcirtap,
I’m transferring next fall and my situation is pretty similar to yours. First off, your parents will need to have their 2010 Income Tax Return finished if you want financial aid for the 2011-2012 school year. Or if they don’t do it, you may be able to use their W2’s if they worked this year. Also, make sure to fill out the FAFSA by March, even if your parents don’t have their tax return done. You can fill out the FAFSA starting Jan 1, 2011 at [FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm). This is really important! When you do this, the information will be sent to all the schools you applied to. You will be able to add the UC’s you applied to 2 the Fafsa application so that the information gets to them. When they get the information, they will let you know about scholarships, loans, grants, etc. </p>
<p>Also, I suggest that you go to the financial aid sites for each school you applied to and look at the different scholarships that they offer. They will give you all the important details about the scholarships, requirements, and deadlines. Finally, it will be a little difficult to start school with no money in the beginning. I’m not sure where you plan to live once you transfer, but if you’re planning to stay on campus, you will need to be able to pay some sort of down payment or security deposit sometime between May and August. Financial aid won’t be disbursed until school officially starts so it may not help you with books, housing, etc (at least not at the beginning of the semester). Hopefully you have spoken to a financial aid officer or will do so soon. They will be able to help you. Good luck!</p>