My EFC is 766, does anyone know what i'll be eligible for?

Question

the full cost of my tuition if full time will be around $7200 for the year. if my EFC is 766, will i qualify for the FSEOG grant in addition to Pell grant? and i also feel like my school is trying to hold out on me with some of these funds that i might be eligible for, but how am i supposed to know what i am truly eligible for when they are the ones that know the calculations? are there instances where students really have to get pushy to receive all of the grant money they are entitled to?

i am married, and have 2 children, but we are straight middle class, barely getting by, but income too high for any type of assistance. and when i say barely getting by, i mean we have cut our budget more than in half. we do nothing extra, and we only spend money to survive, LITERALLY.

thanks!

Answer 1

With an EFC of 766 you will likely qualify for  $3,981 a year in Pell grant.  (Half in the fall and half in the spring).  

I don't know if you will be able to get an FSEOG, a Perkins loan, or a state grant because it depends on how early you submitted your fafsa for those.  You will also prob qualify for Work Study and also a Subsidized Stafford loan.  Work study is usually min wage at around 20 hours a week and loans depend on your classification.  Independent freshman can borrow up to 7,500 a year (again, half in the fall and half in the spring).

Schools WANT to give you money so you can attend.  You will get an "Award Letter" from the school detailing the kinds and amounts of fin aid you will be offered.  You will be given the opportunity to either Accept or Decline each line item.

I wouldn't get "pushy".  This will get you nowhere and only get you escorted out by campus police.  Fin aid workers can be your best friends and help you out a lot... but def won't if you get emotional and ugly.  Best to be honest and open... some schools WILL negotiate (esp private and extremely expensive schools) but most opt to offer you EVERYTHING you are eligible for up front.  Saves time and man power.

Read this book cover to cover.  It will help.