Since I finished my taxes, and my mom finished hers, I was able to fill out out my financial aid paperwork today. When you finish up the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), it spits a number out at you: your so-called “Expected Family Contribution.” This is the amount that the government expects your family to contribute out of pocket to your education for the year.
My EFC came out a little higher than usual this year, at $1148.
Now, if that was the actual number that the school charged me out of pocket every year, I wouldn’t have had to leave school, now would I? I really wonder if this number means anything at all to the bean counters in the school’s financial aid office, because it really doesn’t seem like it.
I’m going to do some math, but most likely, if I do manage to go back to school in the fall, I’ll be commuting from home. It will make me decidedly “un-cool,” but at least I’ll have my own room.
Yes, college can be quite the racket these days. You might be interested in my latest post regarding a nice article by Bob Herbert about the costs of college these days.
What? Commute? That is going to make you decidedly uncool. Sure, I’m going to be living in Colony, so I don’t have much room to talk, but still.
I just realized your EFC was one thousand (etc) and not eleven thousand (etc). I just got slammed for $1,800 more than my loans cover for some unspecified reason, due April 11th.
Philskaren,
Thank you for linking your post – I read it, and the article that inspired it, and they both rang very true for me. I especially identified with the “government doesn’t help people get through school, it helps them get into debt” portion.
Sam,
Oh man, Colony? I’m guessing you don’t have your own room, either. And yeah, my EFC is usually right around the one thousand mark, but dangit if the school listens to that! And you have no idea what that extra charge is for? Hmm… silly school, tricks are for kids!
yes, and they help you get in debt at ridiculous interest rates. I just realized one of my federal loans that started at 2.7% 2 years ago is now at 6.54% now. I forgot to mention that in my post. Thanks for checking out my site.
I REALLY NEEDED TO HAVE SUCH A READING AFTER WHAT I GOT AS A LOAN YOU ARE SO RELAXING AND MOTIVATING SO KEEO IT UP
Mine said 16 I think it is just a number to reference through for fin. aid office at the college
Let me know
Good post! I think it is good that the Government support students payments.
Of course, if I want to apply University at least I should take on count the other costs.