Student Loans
Your Expected Family Contribution
A detailed Needs Analysis examines the income and assets of students and their parents, resulting in a Student Aid Report indicating an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This figure reflects how much money a family should pay toward the Cost of Attendance at any school.
The Student Aid Report will also indicate your eligibility for Subsidized Stafford Loans and Federal Pell Grants.
The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the Expected Family Contribution is a student's Gross Financial Need/Eligibility. This is the amount of financial aid that a student may receive. The kinds of aid awarded will vary according to the financial aid package each school offers.
Note: Your EFC normally remains the same, regardless of what college you attend; your financial need is likely to be more at an expensive college, or less at an inexpensive college.
If you believe your financial situation is not accurately reflected by your Need Analysis, contact your school's financial aid office to explain your situation. A financial aid officer can use "professional judgment" to consider special circumstances such as serious illness, recent death or disability, or other situations that may result in a loss of income.
