What does it mean if my EFC is 03112?

I will be the bearer of bad news. The rules for figuring the EFC for Federal student aid have changed starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Many students are finding that even if their financial situation has not improved drastically from the previous FAFSA filing year, they are receiving a much higher EFC and a smaller (if any) Pell Grant award. I suggest you read this article from the well-respected publication US News and World Report, January 25, 2012. Article title: Look Out for These Federal Aid Changes in 2012, by Katy Hopkins. This is the link to the article: * http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2012/01/25/look-out-for-these-federal-aid-changes-in-2012 Also read this: Recent Changes to the Student Aid Program From: Student Aid on the Web * http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/recentChangesSA.jsp The changes are a result of the terrible Federal government budget deficit and the ongoing economic recession which began long before 2008 when the global economic meltdown became obvious to many people. You may have to consider finding and taking on a 2nd part-time job so you can save more of your earnings for the next school year. If you haven't looked into an on-campus job (to work at as well as working at Starbucks), that may be the easiest solution. For most campuses, the on-campus jobs are posted by the Financial Aid Office. The pay is often just minimum wage or just a bit more. The jobs are not glamorous. The positives: travel to/from work and classes is easy and work schedules are set around your class times. Usually the campus services needing the largest number of student workers are food service and the library. I recommend the library - on most campuses it is open many hours, often late into the night, 7 days a week. Plus, for most campuses, the library is open during the summer and will need student workers then. Librarians--Ask Us, We Answer! Find your local Public Library at: http://www.publiclibraries.com/ Find your College/University Library at: http://lists.webjunction.org/libweb/Academic_main.html Best wishes

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/the-expected-family-contribution-efc-faqs

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/the-expected-family-contribution-efc-faqs

Expected Family Contribution The lower a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the higher the student's federal student aid eligibility. A change has been made to the income amount that is used to determine if a student qualifies for an automatic EFC of zero. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you receive an Expected Family Contribution, which is a number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility. For the 2012-13 school year, you will automatically qualify for an Expected Family Contribution of zero if your family income does not exceed $23,000. This is a reduction from the previous maximum income of $32,000.

Expected Family Contribution The lower a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the higher the student's federal student aid eligibility. A change has been made to the income amount that is used to determine if a student qualifies for an automatic EFC of zero. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you receive an Expected Family Contribution, which is a number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility. For the 2012-13 school year, you will automatically qualify for an Expected Family Contribution of zero if your family income does not exceed $23,000. This is a reduction from the previous maximum income of $32,000.