How We Determine Financial Aid

Eligibility for federal, state and most private loans is determined by using the federal methodology formula. This formula uses your (and spouse) income and equity assets reports on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the amount your are expected to pay toward your education. This amount is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

After we confirm your EFC, we calculate your financial need. Financial Need= Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution. This calculation determines your Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford loan eligibility. The maximum amount of the Subsidized loan is $8,500. The total maximum amount of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans is $20,500.

Using the Cost of Attendance, we calculate your remaining estimate loan eligibility. Cost of Attendance minus scholarships, fellowships, tuition/fee stipends, employer reimbursement minus your Federal Stafford loans equals your remaining borrowing eligibility.