How is the EFC from the FAFSA Calculated?

The Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA is a measurement of your family's financial strength and it is used to determine your eligibility for need-based aid for one academic year. The Federal Need Analysis formula, created by Congress, looks at six to seven factors to determine the EFC:

1. student income and taxes paid
2. parent income and taxes paid, if dependent
3. number of household members
4. number of college students in the household
5. cost of living per state, if dependent, parent's home state is used
6. the age of the oldest parent (if dependent) or the age of the student (if independent)
7. when required, student assets, spouse's assets (if married) and parent assets (if dependent)

The Federal Need Analysis methodology does not consider consumer debt (i.e., mortgages, auto loans, credit card debt), nor does it consider the value of the primary residence, automobiles and other personal property (i.e., jewelry, electronics).

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