<p>Oh, thanks for the advice Calmom! I already ran the EFC calculator for FAFSA/CSS Profile. FAFSA gave me EFC of 180, and that was based on some outdated figures, which I updated/corrected. IM gave me an estimated EFC of 8,000… which I could have handled…</p>
<p>And don’t get me wrong… I’m not shy… lol… I can talk for hours and hours and bore my interviewers to death, but… I don’t know, talking over the phone seems so impersonal to me… I’m the type of person who likes upfront, face-to-face contact…</p>
<p>Thanks a lot though… I’m still open to additional advice… though…</p>
<p>Q: If I get one of the scholarships in question, will it take off from the grant that GU granted or the EFC?</p>
<p>Whether an outside scholarship reduces your financial aid depends on college policy - so definitely check that out. Some colleges have a policy of crediting the outside aid to reduce loans and work-study first, before cutting into your grant money – if so, that works for you, because it reduces your overall loan burden. But again – ask the financial aid people/</p>
<p>If you could have handled $8,000, you can handle $12K … you just have to work harder. Your an enterprising guy – work 2 jobs this summer if you have to. Money you EARN now will be considered when you apply for aid next year, but it won’t cut into the current year’s grant.</p>
<p>Thanks calmom. I’ll give the financial aid office a call tomorrow. Hopefully, things go well. (I’m just going to call to ask them to explain their method in determining the $12K EFC as well as the question about outside scholarships…) I’ll come back with a report tomorrow…</p>