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I'm a zero-EFC student with no home equity, investments, savings or anything fancy like that. I live with a single mother, my grandmother, and a younger sibling. My NCP left the country in order to avoid paying child support about 7 years ago. USC has legal documentation of this. I've been working since age 16, full time since 18. Obviously I won't be working full time during my time at USC (I'm an entering transfer) so my income, which constitutes 51% of my family's income, will be virtually gone.
I chose USC instead of UC Berkeley because I thought that they "met 100% of our need". In fact, the UCs recently passed the Blue & Gold plan in which I would have had my tuition waived for being in a certain income bracket. Apparently my EFC is $7000 for USC, which is unmanageable for my family and I. I submitted my appeal explaining the situation with my employment, so hopefully I'll bring some good news.
I know $7k is nothing in comparison to some of the other numbers on this board, but my family struggles a lot financially, so relatively speaking, I know exactly how you all feel. :/
I chose $31,000 debt for USC over $4,000 tops debt at UC Berkeley. I hope USC doesn't make me regret my decision.
And about Cal grants and other scholarships -- doesn't USC reduce the University grant once these other monies are factored into your award? That's kiiinda crappy...
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