Expected Family Contribution

[DrCharlemagne]

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I know there are a few similar threads on the topic out there, but they seem sort of old.

I have been financially independent from my folks since graduating in 2008. I moved out of state for work and have been hacking it by myself since then. To pay my expected family contribution in undergrad, my parents had to take out loans. I am loathe to do that to them again, especially since 1) it wasn't necessary for my post-bac, 2) my mother (with whom I have severed all contact) does not support my attending medical school and 3) my father is already bearing the financial fallout of a nasty divorce. His finances are finally turning around, and asking him to take out $40k in loans again seems particularly unfair/selfish.

Why do older students have to list their parents' incomes? Is there anyway to access grant aid without contacting my mother and/or subjecting my father to further financial distress? Or do I have to forfeit grant aid and just accrue loan debt?

 

[DrMidlife]

Where are you in the process? Are you talking about funding med school or prereqs?

Federal loans for med school are yours to deal with, yours alone. You parents don't get the option to borrow for you as they did in undergrad. EFC has nothing to do with federal loans for med school. Federal loans for the full cost of attendance including living expenses are generally easy and straightforward for med students, assuming US citizenship or permanent residency, and assuming you haven't trashed your credit.

EFC comes into play with free money, such as grants and scholarships and institutional aid and state programs. It doesn't matter how independent you are or how old you are, you still have to report your family's numbers. Your parents don't have to do anything or sign anything except for coughing up their tax return info. Sometimes people will petition to have this requirement waived, but honestly it's not worth it. Just get your parents numbers, turn in the forms and move on.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrCharlemagne]

I was just accepted to medical school and am attempting to suss out how I'll make it work.

I understand the EFC won't affect loans, but I was wondering if the impression I'd gotten in reviewing financial aid websites was correct. According to your post, it seems so, and I worry about whether my father would have to pony up cash for me to have access to grant aid. I would be one of the people attempting to petition to have my mother's numbers waived - the woman is frankly abusive and I'd rather she not know where I live, much less asking her to provide me financial information that might indebt me to her further.

Thanks for the info, though.

 

[Amygdarya]

I worry about whether my father would have to pony up cash for me to have access to grant aid.

No, just as DrMidlife said, all they need is your parents' tax forms, your parents won't have to pay a dime. Basically, the idea is, most need based grant money is awarded to someone whose parents don't make much money. If you don't provide your parents' info or if they make a lot, you won't be awarded any need based grants. EFC is only used to estimate your need, your parents won't have to actually pay it - *you* will pay it with federal or whatever other loans you may get.
To put it in different words, all your parents need to do is provide their tax info; having that info may be advantageous to you. Your parents won't have to pay anything, and you'll be able to get loans regardless of their financial information.
And, unfortunately, all schools that I know of require tax information from both parents, even if divorced. But I guess in your situation you could petition not to provide your mother's information.

 

[DrMidlife]

Not having to have contact with your mom is obviously important here.

I googled "FAFSA EFC estranged" and came up with this, which might serve as a decent overview of the issues: http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/Undergraduate/Appeals.aspx

I suggest contacting your med school's financial aid office, pretty soon, for guidance on leaving your mom's info out of your FAFSA. Pro tip: be charming and friendly and polite and grateful to the people working in that office, because you NEED them throughout med school.

Best of luck to you.

 

[DrCharlemagne]

Thank you kindly to you both, I will put in a call next week.