Is the number FAFSA gives accurate?

Paying for College
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<p>My friend said that the number FAFSA gave her was 2x less than what she ended up paying. I’m trying to go to a UC, and I don’t know how to pay for it, my number was a small one (single mom household) and i just am wondering if the UC usually goes by your FAFSA number?</p>

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<p>FAFSA calculates and Expected Family Contribution. Schools take the full Cost of Attendance (tuition, fees, room & Board, books, and misc expenses), subtract the EFC, and come up with your “need.”</p>

<p>Most schools won’t meet full need, meaning that the aid package they offer (grants, loans, and work study) will often be less than the full “need”.</p>

<p>So your friend found that she ended up paying twice the EFC-- this wouldn’t be unusual.</p>

<p>The UC’s often don’t meet full need. UCLA happened to meet full need (with grants, loans, and work study) in our case, but in other cases they didn’t.</p>

<p>So, bottom line: Yes, the UC’s use the FAFSA EFC. But because they often don’t meet full need, you may have to pay more than the EFC. You can check College Board to see on average, what percent need most schools meet.</p>

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<p>oh ok thanks :)</p>