Expected Family Contribution
Based on a formula approved by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education uses the information you reported on the FAFSA to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This number appears on your Student Aid Report (SAR) and represents represents the amount the student and his or her family are expected to contribute to the Cost of Attendance (COA). Your EFC and COA are key factors to determine your financial aid eligibility. However, many factors determine financial aid eligibility, so sometimes a student pays more than their EFC and sometimes they may pay less.
What is my EFC used for?
The EFC is subtracted from the COA to determine the student's financial Need. Financial aid is then awarded to help offset the student's COA. If the financial aid is not enough to cover the Need, then the remaining amount is considered Unmet Need. It is important to note that a student is not required to have financial Need to be eligible to receive Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, PLUS loans, or merit-based scholarships.
Cost of Attendance - EFC = Need