How to Estimate My FAFSA EFC

Your family's total household income determines the amount of aid you may receive.

The Expected Family Contribution, or EFC, is the estimated amount of money your family will be able to put toward your college expenses based on your family's total household income. This amount will automatically be shown to you once you have finished the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. If you have not yet submitted the FAFSA application, an online tool is available that will help to determine your EFC.

Instructions

1. Visit the College Board's website. Type "EFC Calculator" (without the quotation marks) into the search box, located on the top-right portion of the page. Click on the link pointing to the EFC calculator.

2. Read the information, then click on the "Start" link, located near the bottom of the page.

3. Answer the questions by selecting the answers in the drop-down boxes. Your responses to the questions will determine if you are either a dependent or independent student. On this page, you will be required to answer questions about your work or your financial dependency on your parents. You will also need to provide detailed answers about the members of your household. The tool will ask for their names, ages and college enrollment status.

4. Submit your answers. You will then be shown your estimated EFC.

References

• Federal Student Aid; Funding Education Beyond High School
• FAFSA; Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• College Board; Main Page

Resources

• College Board; EFC Calculator