What is the difference of getting 0 on efc and 104. I had an efc of 0 last year now 104?

Question

Also my GPA stands at a 3.288. And I am a rising junior

Answer 1

Actually, your EFC is not equivalent to a dollar amount - that's why it's not reported as a $ figure on your Student Aid Report.

As you can imagine, an EFC of zero is the lowest possible score. When you complete and submit your FAFSA form, the scoring process looks at certain responses on your application. If you answer these questions in a certain way, your EFC is automatically determined to be zero, and the processing stops.

Every year, your responses on the FAFSA are a little different. Obviously, one or more of the responses you gave this year were slightly different than the responses you gave last year. Maybe you reported a little (more?) personal income this year?  As a result, your EFC score was determined to be 104, rather than zero. It won't make much difference.

Instead of qualifying for the maximum possible Pell Grant this year, you will qualify for slightly less. The maximum is $4731, but your EFC of 104 will qualify you for a Pell award of $4581, a difference of $150.

Your eligibility for all other forms of federal financial aid should remain unchanged (work-study, Perkins and/or Stafford loans, FSEOG, etc.)

I hope that helped.

Answer 2

EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. Last year your family was not expected to contribute anything to your college education (0), but now (104) FAFSA has calculated that you can contribute $104 to your education.

Side note: your GPA has no link to your EFC