Why did my EFC increase?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Howard University
1

So I was told by Howard that my EFC increased, and thus I lost a lot of financial aid. I don’t understand how it did though. The changes in my house are as follows:

  1. I made less money last year (I didn’t work during my freshman year)
  2. My mother was out of work from before November 1st to February 4th
  3. My older brother got a job but lives with his girlfriend
  4. My household size hasn’t increased
  5. My credit score has gone up

Nothing else has changed but it went from $0 to $509. What should I do? Who should I speak with?

2

The year used for financial aid next year would be the year before this one - the fiscal year that ended when you were a senior in high school. So they’d be comparing the income from that against the income two years back. Also is it possible that previously your family had more than one college student listed last year? I would speak with the folks in the FA office. They can’t fix your EFC but they might be able to find funds if the increased tuition isn’t manageable due to your mom having been out of work.