1. What is FAFSA Financial Aid?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) financial aid represents the difference between a school's Cost of Attendance (COA) and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This determines your eligibility for need-based financial aid.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic FAFSA formula:

Where:

• \( COA \) — Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, etc.)
• \( EFC \) — Expected family contribution from FAFSA results
• \( Aid \) — Maximum need-based financial aid eligibility

Explanation: This simple calculation shows your financial need that schools may meet with grants, loans, and work-study programs.

3. Importance of Financial Aid Calculation

Details: Understanding your potential aid helps in college planning and budgeting. It shows how much you might need to cover through savings, loans, or other sources.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter accurate COA from your school's financial aid office and your official EFC from your FAFSA submission. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this the exact aid I'll receive?
A: This shows your maximum eligibility. Actual aid depends on school policies and available funds.

Q2: What if my aid is negative?
A: The calculator shows $0 when EFC exceeds COA, indicating no need-based aid eligibility.

Q3: Does this include merit scholarships?
A: No, merit aid isn't based on financial need and isn't included in this calculation.

Q4: How often should I recalculate?
A: Recalculate whenever your COA changes (different school) or EFC changes (updated FAFSA).

Q5: What if my EFC is zero?
A: Your aid eligibility equals the full COA, meaning maximum need-based aid potential.