Financial Aid

Determining your need

To apply for most state and federal financial aid programs, a student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Ideally, a FAFSA should be completed and mailed or filed electronically by our March 1 priority date to receive aid for the fall semester of the same year. Students may apply later if they have not already done so.

Financial Need

Cost of Attendance (minus) Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

Cost of Attendance

The total amount it will cost you to go to school for the academic year. The cost of attendance (COA) includes tuition and fees, on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students); and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and, if applicable, dependent care.

Expected Family Contribution

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family's financial strength and indicates how much of your family's financial resources (for dependent students) should be available to help pay for your education. The EFC is calculated from the information you report on the FAFSA.

Financial Need

When the Expected Family Contribution is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance, the difference is your remaining Financial Need. This is the amount that may be funded with federal and state need-based financial aid as funds are available. This funding includes grants, loans, and work study.

Sample Need Determination

* The remaining need may be met with scholarships and need-based grants first, then need-based work study. After the remaining need is met, the student may be awarded non-need based funds to replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Two non-need programs are Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and Parent PLUS Loan.