Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The information you submit on your FAFSA is processed with a formula that has been developed by Congress to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a number which is a measure of your financial strength and used to determine your federal student aid eligibility. Colleges use this number to determine the amount and kind of financial aid package they will offer you.
The formula calculates the EFC by taking into account:
- Your total family income and benefits
- Tax-filing status
- The number of people in your family
- The number of family members in college
- Some of your family’s assets
- The formula recognizes that only a portion of your and your family’s income and assets may be considered available for educationally related expenses
One factor used in calculating an appropriate EFC is your dependency status. Certain questions on your financial aid application(s) will help determine whether you are a dependent student and must report your parents’ income and resources along with your own, or an independent student who reports only your own (and your spouse’s) income and resources.