What does EFC mean when doing your FAFSA?

Question

If my EFC was 0, does that mean im going to get financial aid. Where can I check to see how much im going to get?

Answer 1

I don't think the EFC ratings are public knowledge. The way to tell what you'll be getting for financial aid is to just wait until your school processes your financial aid application(hopefully you've done this already) and then check it out online. Unless you're at a crap school, they should have a website personalized to your student records and there should be a financial aid section, in that it will tell you what you've been awarded.

I can tell you, last year my claimed tips and wages were only like $13,000 and I ended up getting about $2,100 in federal grants and school grants for the semester. I live in Florida though and don't know what type of aid other states get. Also, each school is only granted so much money so what you get depends on the others at your school. For example, my junior college was huge and therefore had plenty of students who came from less than middle class backrounds and therefore it skewed what I was to recieve.

And don;t forget, you or your parents can always apply for student loans. You obviously have to pay them back once your done with school and that is huge because they won't go away with bankruptcies but it is an option.

Answer 2

EFC = Expected Family Contribution

Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

EFC is expected family contribution. While it may say zero, this is not a guarantee that you will get a full ride. My EFC was well below what my actual costs were, but I got zero in grants. Hope you have better luck!