comfycouch22

i submitted my fafsa and now im being asked to fill out a verification form. I just realized that my fafsa information has not been updated. original estimates placed my mothers income at 30k but after taxes were filled it was 34k. First question is should I update before I fill out the verification form. Secondly will an extra 4k hurt my original financial aid estimates? Third does student income count towards determining financial need? Im 20 a waiter and made 11k this year working part time... so i hope that doesn't hurt me.

swimcatsmom

You do need to update the FAFSA as part of the verification includes providing your tax returns and FAFSA must agree with what is on your tax returns. If your Mom's estimated AGI was under $30k ($29,999) then it could make a difference because with under $30k you might have qualified for the automatic 0 EFC, with $30k and up you will not.

Yes your income will probably affect your EFC, probably more than your Mom's. A student has @ $4000 in income protection. Anything over that 50% goes to the EFC. However this should already have been reflected on the EFC you got when you filed FAFSA.

comfycouch22

When updating my fafsa its showing my step two as blank. For some reason my original estimates of how much i would make that year aren't there. Im worried this is going to totally screw me over when I enter that I made 11k this year.

comfycouch22

= (..... EFC changed from 0000 to 5088... no longer eligible for pell grant. **** i hate this. Do they seriously think im going to make 11k next school year... i didnt even plan on working but now ill have to. Sigh..

Oyama

Welcome to financial volatility

Take out loans if you have to--considering that the amount out-of-pocket you're paying with a 5088 EFC and UCSD relatively cheap tuition, you're still way better off than most college students

konakai27

I'd be happy with an EFC of 5088. Mine is 14432 and my family is living paycheck to paycheck. I know people who have EFCs higher than mine. We're all getting screwed.

comfycouch22

i guess when u compare it to other students its not that bad... I have 2000 of medical expenses for 2008 im adding to the medical appeal form. Also filling out student contribution form as in 2008 i worked full time and have already quit my job to focus on school. My mothers hours were cut from 40 to 36 and she works hourly... what sucks is that the only aid i had was smart, pell, and UCSD grant. Now i dont have smart, pell, and UCSD grant will be lowered leaving me with only 9 thou in aid. Even 7 thou in loans cant help me out too much lol. Back to ramen noodles i guess.

westin

what is the % of the student need to fill up the verification alone with the tax form?