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Office of Financial Aid

Calculate Your EFC

Your Expected Family Contribution is determined by using a formula established by the U.S. Congress. The EFC is used to determine the student's eligibility for financial aid programs.

You can estimate your EFC by visiting Financial Aid's Expected Family Contribution Calculator.

What is an "Expected Family Contribution?"

An Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is assessed using the income and asset information as well as household size and number in college reported on the FAFSA. In general, the higher the family income, the higher the EFC. If you are a dependent student, the EFC is based on the parents' and student's income and assets. If you are independent, the EFC is based on student and spouse (if married) financial information.

The amount is determined by using a formula established by the U.S. Congress. The EFC is used to determine if you are eligible for many financial aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, the ISAC MAP (state tuition) grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Perkins Loan.

Am I A "Dependent" or an "Independent" Student?

To qualify as an Independent Student, you must meet at least one of the following:

  • born before January 1, 1984.
  • At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, you will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program (such as MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.).
  • you are married as of the date of the application (answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced).
  • you have children who receive more than half of their support from you.
  • you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with the student and the dependent receives more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2008.
  • Both of your parents are deceased OR the you are (or were until the age of 18) a ward/dependent of the court.
  • you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee called into federal active duty for other than training purposes.
  • you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.