The College Aid Calculator® is a tool we use to determine the amount that colleges will expect the family to pay toward their child's college expenses. This amount is referred to as the EFC, or Expected Family Contribution. This is a figure arrived at by taking into consideration the entire family's assets, income, debts, etc.  

Many parents first hear of this number when they fill out the FAFSA for their first time. Once the FAFSA is submitted, the parents are then informed of their EFC. By then, it is too late to enact any strategies that may help reduce their EFC. Even though the FAFSA is filed each year the student is in college, rarely do the colleges willingly offer additional aid than what was awarded that first year. The first year's FAFSA normally sets precedence for all four years of financial aid awards, so it's important to get the EFC right the first time!

Many people don't understand the significance of this number nor do they realize that it may be possible to reduce this number affecting the amount of aid that could be awarded their student.

There are also people who make mistakes on their financial aid applications which in turn cause them to inadvertently  misrepresent their finances. An incorrect or careless completion of financial aid forms could result in a loss of eligibility for  thousands of dollars of aid.

You might be able to find an EFC calculator online maybe even directly through one of the college's websites. However, having us assist you with our expertise, we can present various strategies and work out different scenarios that may help you reduce your EFC.

Currently, we are offering this service for free to people who attend our workshops. Click here to view a list of our upcoming workshops.