Eligibility for Aid

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Eligibility for Aid

How financial aid eligibility is determined

The Department of Education calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the information you reported on the FAFSA. The EFC is not necessarily the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, but it is the number used by colleges to determine the amount of types of federal aid you may be eligible to receive. Your EFC is determined from base year income (which is 2010 for the 2011-2012 school year), the number of family members, the number of family members in college, and the value of your assets.

You and your family are expected to make a maximum effort to finance college expenses. Financial assistance is meant to supplement that effort.

If you feel your EFC number is not a true reflection of your ability to contribute to the cost of your education because of special circumstances, contact the Financial Aid Office. We may be able to adjust the data that determine your EFC or to your Cost of Attendance (COA) budget to better reflect your true need or ability to pay for college. Additional paperwork, time, and documents are required for these processes.

What is required after financial aid is received

Once you have received your aid, you’re expected to meet satisfactory academic progress standards. If you do not, you may be denied future financial aid.

You must reapply for financial aid every academic year (which begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer semester).

Important financial aid policies every student should know: