As an independent student, you are eligible to borrow $10,500 as a sophomore ($11,500 as a junior)
Even families with 0 EFCs high school students have a student contributions from work to cover personal expenses.
Seeking clarification is your $13,170 based on you applying for financial aid as a single person?
Did you file the FAFSA as a single or married person? You most likely were not married when you filed your original FA application since you just got married on 3/27.
You have a need based package that covers your tuition and fees.
they have factored in a room and board cost of $16,000 for you to live on campus (leaving you $6262 balance for your direct billable expenses).
The school is looking for you to cover this from your EFC. If you are cash poor, then you have to option of minimally a $10,500 (since you are not a freshman but a transfer student).
This will change because you are a married student with a baby on the way. Most schools will not increase your financial aid because of you have chosen a change in your lifestyle. As a married person, this is a family decision for you to attend school as a full time student. In the place of parents being first in line to pay for a high school student’s education, you and your spouse are first in line to pay for your education. The for real, for real is Amherst is going to be hard pressed to subsidize you as a full time student and your wife as a full time SAHM.
They will adjust your housing cost for off campus housing (it may not necessarily result in an increase in aid). Is there any kind of work that you can do between now and August when it is time to attend school. The NYC min wage is $15.00/hr. Whole foods/Trader Joes in NYC pay approx $17/18 as a starting salary. If you got a fast food job you could make a few thousand to put a dent in this cost. If both of you are unemployed how are you meeting your bills now?
You will need start of money when you get to college. How do you expect to pay for the sundry items that you will need once you are a full time student?