I am 4 classes away from completing my AA and I will be attending a new school this fall because I moved to another state. I work full time and made 16,000 last year (single, no dep., age 24). I completed the FAFSA and my EFC is about 4,000. I contacted the fin. aid dept. by phone and by e-mail but they tell me that I have to come in and talk with a fin. aid specialist because they can't give out info over the phone. I know that I do not qualify for a pell grant b/c of my EFC and I am worried that I won't be able to get a student loan.

Is there a student loan that is not need-based? Any info would be helpful. I am trying to decide what to do because if I have to pay for school entirely out of pocket I will need a second job.

Are you SURE your EFC is 4,000 and not 400? If you only made 16k last year, I have a very hard time believing they expect you to contribute a QUARTER of your income to education.

Does anyone know what the income limitations are for need based aid such as Pell Grant or Sub. Stafford?
Since I only made 16,000 last year, I was totally shocked when I received a letter from the school that I was not eligible for the Pell Grant or any "need based" aid. My EFC was about 4000. I signed back into the FAFSA to check and see if I had made any mistakes but everything looked right. I checked the Financial aid website but could not find any info on income limitations.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Since you're considered independent at age 24, an EFC of $4000 may take into account a larger balance in your checking and savings accounts. As far as loans that aren't need based, the Stafford loans aren't income dependant. Your FA official should be able to explain it to you.

Do you have to change schools with only 4 courses to go? Most schools require a minimum amount of credits taken at their institution in order to graduate. A new school may only accept a portion of your transfer credits leaving you with more than 4 courses to graduate at the new school. If possible, your best bet would be to graduate from your current school (online courses, perhaps?), and then transfer your degree to the new school.