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I filled out the parent info of the FAFSA simply because I was under the impression that it would not be calculated into my EFC and there are a couple schools that require it. However, I'm a little freaked out over the 15k EFC number I'm staring down. Did filling out my parents info affect that at all? I've been working for the past four years and have a decent amount of money saved up (not tons though!), so that might have something to do with it as well.

are you considered an independent student? did you have to check a box that said "i would like to include my parents info" in order to put your parents info on your fafsa? if so, it won't be included in your EFC. otherwise, it will, but if that's the case then your parents info is mandatory anyway.

christinalsat wrote:I filled out the parent info of the FAFSA simply because I was under the impression that it would not be calculated into my EFC and there are a couple schools that require it. However, I'm a little freaked out over the 15k EFC number I'm staring down. Did filling out my parents info affect that at all? I've been working for the past four years and have a decent amount of money saved up (not tons though!), so that might have something to do with it as well.

If you fill the paperwork out correctly (ie check the grad school box), it has no effect. They take a portion of your income and a large portion of your savings to make up the EFC.

fatduck wrote:are you considered an independent student? did you have to check a box that said "i would like to include my parents info" in order to put your parents info on your fafsa? if so, it won't be included in your EFC. otherwise, it will, but if that's the case then your parents info is mandatory anyway.

I did check the box that said "I would like to include my parents' info."

Also, when it asked me if I was born before January 1, 1988 I clicked Yes (because I was). So I assume that establishes my independent status as well?

christinalsat wrote:Also, when it asked me if I was born before January 1, 1988 I clicked Yes (because I was). So I assume that establishes my independent status as well?

yea you did everything right. that efc is for you. doesn't include your parents.

Damn then. 15k seems like an awful lot, no?

christinalsat wrote:Damn then. 15k seems like an awful lot, no?

your savings probably have a lot to do with it. they basically expect you to empty all your savings into tuition.

Ugh. So basically I should've spent more and saved less.

christinalsat wrote:Ugh. So basically I should've spent more and saved less.

it's the american way!

christinalsat wrote:Ugh. So basically I should've spent more and saved less.

Having a low EFC isn't worth much. I'd rather have 15K EFC with 15K in cash than 0 EFC and 0 cash.

I just called FAFSA and they indicated that it was automatically included....

christinalsat wrote:I just called FAFSA and they indicated that it was automatically included....

parent info is automatically included? Does that mean that we high-EFC people should uncheck the "provide parent info" box?

Is it enough to leave the parent into in NeedAccess and not on FAFSA?