Fafsa, Pell grant, financial aid

[Tennesseegirl87]

I had plans to attend Arizona State University online. They offer a BS in Biology so everything was perfect. Until they finally got back with me on the dollar amount of my financial aid I would receive.. $1700 a semester.. The total tuition is $9936. My goal is to get a Bachelors without going into debt to do it. I got an associates through NMJC and didn't have to pay a dime!!! I even had overage and was able to perfectly budget my books on ebay and amazon with the extra cash. What I'm not understanding is why is my pell grant covering so little now? Is there a secret formula I can do to find the perfect college. I don't even care about the overage amount I'd just like to break even. Are there Universities that calculate tuition costs the same as NMJC? I'm not worried about time or transferring in credits from ACE I'll take a loss on those but I am worried about cost and must be online. Any help is very much appreciated.

Is this $1700 a semester a Pell Grant?  If so then that is likely going to be the Max at any school.  NMJC tuition is just so low that this same award would cover your tuition and give you that overage you're talking about (to be used to pay for books, room and board - even if living 'at home' - and other expenses related to being a FT student.)  Am I correct that beyond this 'financial aid' they are offering you student loans to make up the difference?

yes 1700 a semester, 3400 a year. I didn't go into the student loans yet. Because everything just hit and I thought there has to be a better school. I'm pretty sure I would qualify for the loans also.

Am I correct that you live in AZ? That tuition sounds like in-state rate for a full year as a FT student.  What are your plans after earning a BS in Biology, or do you have any at this time? (it can make a difference in your options)

No, I live in Tennessee. ASU said the cost is $520 per credit hour for online students. The $1700 pell grant amount per semester is if I go full time which I plan on doing. I currently work in a lab and I'd like to transfer to St.Jude or do some type of lab work for the state. I haven't made a solid plan yet so Biology was the safest degree to cover me wherever I decided to go.