Pell Grant

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form that students must complete each year to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. The FAFSA collects information about your family's income, assets, and household size to calculate your Expected Family Contribution. Most colleges and states also use the FAFSA to award their own financial aid, making it a critical step in the college funding process.

Need-Based Aid

Financial assistance awarded to students based on their demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA and sometimes additional forms like the CSS Profile. Need-based aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans, with the goal of making college affordable for students regardless of family income. The amount of need-based aid you receive is typically the difference between the cost of attendance and your Expected Family Contribution.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

A number calculated from the information you provide on the FAFSA that represents how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education costs for the year. Colleges subtract your EFC from their cost of attendance to determine your financial need and aid package. Starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the EFC is being replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which works similarly but with updated calculations.