Financial Need

Financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, which is the difference between the total estimated cost of attendance (COA) and expected family contribution (EFC).

Each student is assigned a budget that includes tuition, fees, room, board and other costs which includes books, personal expenses and transportation to and from home each semester. This budget reflects the students COA.

The EFC is calculated by the U.S. Federal Processor using information submitted by the student and/or family on the FAFSA and is a measure of a family’s financial strength. The information is put through a series of congressionally mandated formulas. The end result is the EFC for one academic year. This EFC is a guideline used in determining your eligibility for financial aid. The EFC does not reflect the actual amount that must be paid by the student and/or student’s family.