Jefferson - Low EFC but has to pay 16k?

Paying for College
1

Hi there, I’m wondering if anyone on here has some experience with financial aid issues or Thomas Jefferson University

I applied and got accepted into TJU College of Nursing, and just received my award letter. I would also like to add that I will be starting my junior year and first year of clinicals (Jefferson doesn’t have programs for first or second year) meaning I completed my prereqs already. I completed my prereqs at my local penn state campus and it was pretty affordable. My EFC is usually $0, but TJU put down $98.00. Thats still a pretty low number. However, my aid package is very minimal. My pell grant for some reason is lower than before and this time I’m not being offered a FSEOG grant (Penn State gave me all these things). They also offered me four different types of loans, two being from the university. The loans have APR rates and those sort of things.

However, after all this I’m still left to pay about 16k just purely for tuition (My tuition is 37k without dorm). I don’t know how students pay for that. Do most nursing students have that amount saved? I know private loans exist but I won’t receive a 16k loan. My family income is not high enough to receive private loans.

There is also no assets or anything on the taxes. I’m confused why my EFC is so low yet the amount I have to pay is so high?

I did call their financial aid office twice, but both told me they don’t fully know. They weren’t very helpful.

This is all a first for me since penn state was just one small loan and gave me more grants and scholarships.

Anyone experienced this before? Do nursing students usually pay 16k out of pocket?

2

Obviously TJU doesn’t meet need and just gaps students. The EFC just shows whether you are eligible for federal student loans, which you are. Are there any other schools you have as options?

3

SEOG is not even given at some colleges…and when it is, it’s on a first come, first served basis. Those applying first get this award…and those applying for aid later don’t. Limited funding per campus.

What loan did you get last year?

Pell Grant. Your EFC is what drives your Pell. With an EFC of $98, I would guess your Pell to be about $5900 for the YEAR. Are you sure you are looking at your yearly award, and not by semester?

School based grants are up to each college to award.

Very often, transfer students do not get as much aid as first time students.

I would suggest you go and talk to the finaid Office at this school to see if there is anything they can do for you.

It’s very possible that your Pell, and that loan…and the grants from the Penn branch covered the costs…because they are LESS than the cost of the school you wish to now attend. Either that…or you got more grants because you were not a transfer.

4

You can’t afford this school. Find another school. Can you not finish at your penn state school? Can you transfer to another state school?