<p>I've been going to community college for free for the last couple years now, its been me and my single mom, and my little sister for a long time. So they've been paying for me to go to school, and then I've also gotten money returned to me that was left over. </p>
<p>My mom however married, and my step father came to the country and started working from January 08 till now. After adding up what me, my mom, and my step dad have made together throughout the year. </p>
<p>I get to around 50-55k (I'll know for sure when i do my taxes)...now will I still be able to get Financial Aid? Even though the income has gone up, we are still in heavy debt with credit cards and the rent bills. No one has any money in the bank, we have no assets. Now my sister is a senior and she will be attending Community College in the coming fall, so she will be applying for the 2009-2010 FAFSA probably next month along with me.</p>
<p>I applied to Rutgers Newark-Business School, and it costs around 12-13 thousand to attend. So I know that our total income has gone up, but now my sister will be going to school..so will that help/balance out the increase in income?</p>
<p>We barely make enough to get by..so this is crucial to me.</p>
<p>I've maintained fairly good grades, a 3.0 GPA, and I'm in EOF. Never had any disciplinary problems or anything like that. </p>
<p>My question is, for a family of 4, with a combined income of 50-55k, and no savings/assets in the bank or ownership of any property, and 2 kids going to college now applying to Financial Aid, will it cover me?</p>
<p>Check out an online EFC Calculator (google "EFC Calculator") for an estimate of how much you'll have to pay. Looks to me like you should get some pretty solid aid though, especially if the school you're going to gives a lot of need-based scholarships.</p>
<p>Do the FAFSA calculator to see what your estimated EFC is. Then I suggest you call Rutgers Financial Aid Dept. Each college does things differently and state schools, especially now, don't have much money to give out. FAFSA doesn't consider debt your family has, unfortunately. But, having 2 siblings in college WILL help to lower the family EFC. It also depends on YOUR income. Your EFC increases once you earn above a certain point ($3500? not really sure). Perhaps RU can tell you if you will get NJ $, I forget the name of the program. Are you a NJ resident? When speaking with RU, ask specifically about grant $ vs loan amounts. If your EFC is more than $4000, I don't think you will be eligible for Federal grants that you are probably receiving now.</p>
<p>Unfortunately heavy debt, credit card bills, and rent are not taken into account for the EFC</p>
<p>If you were getting free tuition at a community college because you are a NJ Stars student, then with those grades, you will get some of your tuition at Rutgers covered.</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.njstars.net/%5DNJSTARS.NET%5B/url">http://www.njstars.net/]NJSTARS.NET[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Most public universities lack the funds to meet 100% of their students' financial need. Check Rutgers' web site to see what they say about financial aid. Also check their common data set or the U.S. News on-line college guide (which costs about $15 to access until Aug.) to find out what percentage of students' need Rutgers covers on the average.</p>
<p>The Rutgers site says that the average package of Financial Aid is around 11-12k, just about the same for the yearly tuition. It doesnt say if thats loans or grants however. </p>
<p>No I wasnt in NJ Stars but I am in EOF...how does EOF work for universities? And my sister is a senior currently and will be attending a community college in the coming fall semester, do i put on the application that there are 2 people in college? Even though technically she'll be in high school till july</p>
<p>Any questions about family members is referring to the 2009-2010 school year. If your sister will be in college in the 2009-2010 school year then you put her down as being in college.</p>