Determining Need for FInancial Aid

After the student submits the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will analyze the information provided on the FAFSA and will send out a Student Aid Report. The SAR may request additional information and/or will assign a number called an Expected Family Contribution. The EFC is the amount the student and his or her family should be able to pay toward the cost of education. Family contribution consists of expected parental contribution and/or student contribution, depending upon the student’s classification as dependent or independent. The federal need analysis formula used by the federal processor to determine the amount of each applicant’s expected family contribution takes into account the family’s/student’s income and assets, employment costs, living expenses, taxes, family size, and the number of family members in college. Dependent students must also help pay their educational costs from their resources, such as savings, prior-year income, benefits, and/or employment.

The Financial Aid Office will use the EFC to determine the amount of financial assistance. Review the SAR and if changes are necessary, the student should make corrections electronically using the student’s FSA ID at: https://studentaid.gov. The corrected SAR will be used to determine the student’s award for the Federal Pell Grant and other need-based aid.

Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

Academic Catalog

Determining Need for FInancial Aid