What is financial aid based on what is the criteria?

I am a ward of the state and my family has low income. I have asked before but people seem to give very vague answers it almost seems like no one really knows almost anything about it. Does the federal government let you know what and why they do things or is it secret like the creditors used to be on how they give out loans. Do they give out official information or does some individual decide on a case by case? My specific questions are what percentage is covered? Will they give you aid if you go to a private unviersity or just state schools? and if they do is it less? and will they or do they ever pay for medical school?

Financial Aid is given based on your EFC; expected family contribution. If your family has a low income your EFC is possibly 0, when your EFC is 0 you qualify for the max in financial aid. You really should get more info on your school such as tution costs and how much $ per credit hour and this will also help determine how much Aid you will get back.

no one knows how much u would get back until u know how much the school costs and what is your efc.

I'm not a financial aid counselor, but I have been to college and can only tell from my personal experiences and/or opinions...

It seems to me, the lower the income, the more financial aid given. They can typically look at a case by case because not everyone's financial situations are the same. When you fill out a financial aid application (even through the school), that information is given to the bank that the school goes through. You are able to get financial aid for public and private schools. There is financial aid and scholarships geared towards medical students.

I recommend you pick out some schools you are interested in, go to the financial aid department and have a talk with a counselor and see what your options are.

Whatever you decide to do, don't sign the dotted line without having someone thoroughly explain the loan.