Financial Need

Need is based on the following equation:

The information you report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to calculate your EFC, which is a measure of your family’s financial strength. The EFC is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. The formula for the EFC calculation is established by law.

If your EFC is below a certain number, you’ll be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements. The EFC is used to determine eligibility for other federal student aid programs, but there isn’t a maximum EFC eligibility threshold for those programs.