UCLA ePal Award Letter Amount?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi, everyone. I am an Out of State Student who got into UCLA. When I received my FAFSA, I was not surprised that my EFC was low (very low income family), around $1,200. However, when I got the ePal Award Letter about a month later, I got surprised that their EFC matched the FAFSA and stated the same amount. Does that mean this is really what I will have to pay for UCLA (well, obviously, I will have to do work-study program)? I talked to the lady at UCLA meeting today and she told me that she was really surprised at seeing this, but she thought that was the amount, but she advised me to call them. I am going to call to their financial aid office on Monday anyways, but I wanted to hear your opinion on this.</p>

2

<p><strong>bumping</strong></p>

3

<p>We can’t answer without you providing full itemized details of your award letter. Otherwise there is no way to advise you if any of it is through loans or other sources.</p>

4

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<p>The only thing that this means is you have a low EFC, which will make you eligible for federal aid (Pell and Loans). What you want to look at is ow much aid you are receiving and how the school is meeting your net cost (if they say take 40k in loans, then walk away.</p>

<p>Look at you ePAL, and let us know what your say (then we can be in a better position to assist you:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fao.ucla.edu/publications/2011-2012/ePAL_Guide.pdf[/url]”>http://www.fao.ucla.edu/publications/2011-2012/ePAL_Guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Most likely, since you are an OOS student, you will not be eligible for a Cal Grant (which is california state aid). Since UCLA does not meet 100% demonstrated need, how are you going to make the cost of attendance.</p>

5

<p>Nevermind, guys, I figured it out. I did not see the “View Awards” button. For those who are interested, they want me to pay around $30k a year. Is it worth it?</p>

6

<p>Is it worth it? Sure, to someone who can afford it. You can’t . . . so it is absolutely NOT worth it.</p>

<p>The only way you could pay that amount would be for your parents to borrow it. Every year. For four years. They might be able to get the loans (at least for the first year - no guarantees after that), but it would force them into financial ruin. So, again, for you, it is not worth it.</p>

<p>Do you have any affordable options? Perhaps in your home state?</p>

7

<p>No, It is not worth it for your parents to have $30K in debt a year. Based on your EFC they cannot afford it. You cannot get loans for this amount.</p>