How to Determine Your EFC

Your EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, is determined by your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The number, derived from the information you provide on your FAFSA, is not the exact amount the federal government believes you and your family can afford to pay for your higher education; rather, it is a number given to your school that is used to determine the amount of aid you will receive. (See Reference 1)

Things You'll Need

  • Tax returns
  • Bank statements
  • Driver's license
  • Social Security number
  • Internet access
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather documents needed to file your FAFSA, including tax returns, bank statements, driver's license, Social Security card, child-support documentation, grants and scholarship paperwork, military documentation and investment statements. If you are filing as a dependent, gather the same information for your parents or legal guardians.

    • 2

      Log on to the FAFSA website at FAFSA.ed.gov., using your Social Security number. (See Reference 3)

    • 3

      Fill out and submit the FAFSA as instructed by the forms. Ensure that all information provided is accurate and up to date. Corrections to the FAFSA after submission can delay the determination of your EFC.

    • 4

      Check regularly on your status on the FAFSA website, through your homepage after logging on to the site. You will receive an e-mail once FAFSA has determined your EFC, and the amount will be displayed on the PDF form of your report on the website.

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