What Can I Expect with my EFC?

[revolcgirl]

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.

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?

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.

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.

I posted this in the Financial Aid forum but I like you parents better!

[sybbie719]

My answer is the same as the one that I posted on the FA forum.

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.

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.

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 ?