How Financial Aid Need Is Calculated

COA - EFC - EFA = Need
Colleges and universities provide supplemental assistance to students who show documented financial need that is determined when the application is processed. Need is calculated by taking the college’s Cost of Attendance (COA) minus the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from the Student Aid Report (SAR) minus any Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) which includes grants, scholarships, student loans, veterans education benefits, and outside resources. The Federal Pell Grant and all other federal and state grants are awarded on need. Scholarships can also be awarded based on need, but require a separate application and are more often based on merit and academic performance. Financial aid will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are used up. For additional information, contact the Financial Aid Office.