Determining Financial Need

When a student files a financial aid application (FAFSA or TASFA) the application data is used to determine the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount of money that a family is expected to contribute toward the student’s education for the academic year.

To determine financial need, the university subtracts the EFC from the estimated cost of attendance. If there is a difference, the student exhibits financial need. If the EFC is greater than the estimated cost, the student does not exhibit financial need.