Currently a student at SMC (Santa Monica)…
My fafsa says my budget is $13,176.00 - EFC $647 - Need $12,529 - Unmet Need $12,529.
I don’t know exactly what this means but the Need and Unmet Need being the same amount scares me…
I quit my job to go back to school so any aid really helps.
Have you gotten a financial aid award from your college?
Yes currently, but I’m worried about my next financial aid… since the Unmet Need and Needs are the same number now. It wasn’t like that on my last year’s fafsa page.
You have chosen a school where tuition is 30k a year and that school does not meet 100% demonstrated need.
Even though you have a low EFC because the school does not meet 100% demonstrated need you are responsible for filling the gap (12,529).
With a $6647 EFC, your family does not have a lot of money. How much did your parents say they are Illini to pay or borrow?
You cannot afford this school. Do you have any affordable options. Did you apply to any Suny schools. Are there any with in commuting distance?
What are your stats. Maybe we can help you find an affordable option.
Your FAFSA will not show unmet need, it will only show your EFC.
Are saying you have an award letter from your school that shows EFC, need AND unmet need? Many schools have not sent out awards for returning students yet.
How does your EFC differ from last year and what kind of award did you recieve, was it grant, loan, merit or other? I would schedule a meeting with your schools financial aid office to discuss.
Get a job. Silly to not work. At all while in school…only the affluent can do that… most students work while in college.
Have you been in college before? Is it possible that you’ve used up all Pell eligibility. Is it possible that you you’ve up your BOG eligibility
Which Univ will you be transferring to
lol? Is your job to assume things?
I’m worried about my fafsa because I had a career prior to school… you know how fafsa works right?
First time in college. Only in my 2nd year @ SMC, not possible I used up my Pell and BOG already.
CSUN.
Ate you under 24 years old?
If yes, even if you are self supporting your PELL will be based on your parents income and assets along with your income
You say in your first post that you don’t understand what the FAFSA info means…and that you quit your job to go,back to college.
Do you have a part time job now? That will help you bridge the gap between what the Calgrant provides, and what the school expects you to pay.
It looks like you had higher income in 2016 which is what goes on the 2018-2019 FAFSA…and now gourmet income is far less.
If your EFC is 647…then you will get about $5000 per year in Pell. If you will be a third year student…you will get $7500 in Direct Loans. Right there…you have $12500.
If you qualify for the Calgrant…then I believe your tuition would be covered…a Calgrant expert would need to weigh in. In addition, you would still get the $7500 Direct Loan if you wanted it. I’m not sure how Pell interfaces with the Calgrant…but if you can get both…and also the Direct Loan…seems like your costs would be covered at a CSU.
@mommdc do you know?
@Imjunsul, In another thread you said you had 2 W’s your first year. If you don’t meet satisfactory academic progress, your aid will be suspended. You may still be able take the $7500/year federal student loan, but I’d confirm that with the school. You’re an independent student who’s returning to school, so I wonder if you’ve aged out of some grants. There are states that have age limits – @mom2collegekids would know if CA is one of them – but I don’t know which ones they are off the top of my head.
Where did you get your figures from? The FAFSA generates an EFC, not a budget. That sounds like a financial aid letter. It sounds like you’ve been gapped ~$12k. What aid have you been offered for CSUN? Can you pay the difference?
Yeah I should be fine. Just visited my financial aid office after a long wait.
My gpa is over 3 and my 2 W’s shoiulsnt effect my aid. I’m still at smc so I’m not worried about csun yet. I’ll be getting a loan once I transfer through credit union, hopefully.
Also my needs and uunmet needs are the same because it’s still early and hasn’t updated yet. They said it should be uiosated once bog waiver updates.
It’s great news that you might get more aid, but I don’t understand how you’re going to get a loan from a credit union if you don’t have a job. I don’t think they’ll give you an unsecured loan. Are you planning to live on campus? You can borrow $7500/year as a junior and senior, so that will help.