<p>I’m looking for more information on this topic. If everyone could write down what their EFC was(calculated via the institutional methodology) and then what the colleges that you were accepted to wanted you to pay, that would be fantastic.</p>
<p>For example:
EFC: $20,000
Timbuktu: $10,000</p>
<p>You might have to define things a bit more. For example, by “wanted you to pay,” do you include Stafford and Perkins loans in the amount the student is paying (because they will, eventually, be paying those amounts), or no? How about PLUS loans? Many students receive financial aid packages showing their contribution as “0,” but a $30,000 PLUS loan might be included…</p>
<p>You won’t get anything useful with this broad question.</p>
<p>I guess a complete breakdown (amount in grants, loans, and work study) would be the best.</p>
<p>So you want to know if the college awarded enough money to cover the cost of attendance, leaving just the EFC to be paid - with a breakdown, so that the amount of student loans in the package can be seen, as well? </p>
<p>Let me just say it before it needs to be said … very few schools promise to - or CAN - meet full need.</p>
<p>Well, my EFC was 0, and I got my full need met. I have a $1500 loan and a $2000 work study…everything else is grants. I was placed in a program where that is guaranteed for four years, the loan and work study will each go up $500 per year, but everything else is paid for. </p>
<p>I think this might be sort of an isolated occurrence, however.</p>
<p>There are some great programs for students with a 0 EFC, even at public U’s. Yes, they are few & far between, but they are out there. Not every school offers them, and not every student qualifies … but they are worth looking for.</p>