Answers:
When you complete the FAFSA, an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is calculated. Schools use the EFC to determine what type of aid you may be eligible for.
As more and more schools are requiring their students to have laptops, most, if not all, have incorporated an average cost of a laptop in the the Cost of Attendance (COA) for their particular school. This means that if the normal COA would be $13000 for an in-state student for a year, then adding in the average cost of a laptop might bring it up to $15000.
The higher the COA and the lower the EFC the more "Gross Need" you have. And that will help schools determine what type/how much financial aid you may receive.
The previous poster was incorrect in saying that the federal government will give you up to $4500. The maximum Pell Grant for a student with a 0 EFC who is going to school full time in the 0708 school year will get $4310. In addition, if you are eligible for Pell, you may also be eligible for another federal grant program: the ACG or SMART (depending on your major).
So in essence, completing the FAFSA will not mean you would be getting a laptop covered per se - it all depends on what your EFC is and how your school uses that to determine your financial need.
Hope that helps!
Your fafsa EFC (family contribution figure) will be sent to your school. Your school will factor that information into their own calculations to determine what they will pay you per semester. The feds say up to 4500 for full time students. I got 3600 in Los Angeles last year. You will get a letter from the school that tells you your award amount and sources. Pell grants are different than state stuff and you can get both at the same time.
The school cuts the student a check at the beginning and middle of the semester based on units enrolled and current grades. Gotta keep better than a C and 12 units for all the money...
You spend the money however you want. You dont have to show anyone how you spent it or explain it - ever. It is money to bridge the gap to allow students to go to school.
So, I guess you get to pick whatever you want! But, I doubt your first payment will cover a really good laptop without a little help from you. I got 900 in each payment...4 times over the year. Next money comes mid September.
Oh, when your EFC goes to the school, they pay for your unit costs too! Check out your EOPS program to pay for books too!
The cost of a computer is not automatically considered as a school expense. However, financial aid offices have the authority to add it in but are not required to. You will need to ask a counselor in your school's aid office what their policy is on this issue since it is done at the aid offices discretion.
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