How to Understand Your EFC on Your FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, may be completed by anyone attending or planning to attend a college or university. After submitting the application, which details your financial information and that of your parents if you are a dependent, you will receive a report stating your EFC---the expected family contribution to the financing of your education.

Things You'll Need

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA
• Student Aid Report, or SAR

Instructions

1. Submit your FAFSA. About six weeks after submission, you will receive an SAR, which stands for Student Aid Report, documenting the evaluation of your application.

2. Locate the line on the SAR that reads "EFC." The EFC is the amount of aid your family should be able to contribute to your education as determined by the evaluation of your application.

3. Determine the cost of one year of attendance at the college or university you plan to attend. Include tuition, books, room and board, travel, supplies and personal incidentals.

4. Subtract the EFC from the annual cost of attendance at the school you wish to attend to determine your financial need.

5. Contact the financial aid office of the college or university you plan to attend if you believe the SAR represents an inaccurate estimate of your family's expected contribution.

References

• Fin Aid: Financial Aid Applications