How Financial Need is Calculated

The FAFSA utilizes a set of federally mandated formulas to determine the amount of money you and your family are expected to contribute towards educational expenses. This amount is called the Expected Family Contribution or EFC. To determine eligibility for financial aid, BGSU's Student Financial Aid subtracts your EFC from the cost of attending BGSU. These costs include instructional and general fees, nonresident fees, where applicable, room, meals, books, transportation and personal expenses. If the cost of attendance is higher than the EFC, a financial aid "package" is put together to help meet the difference between the cost and the student's EFC. This package is limited by funding availability and program maximums. Some students are eligible for additional types of aid to help meet the EFC. For instance, the Unsubsidized Direct Loan and PLUS Loan are not based on need.

Federal regulations require that recipients of federal financial aid must be either citizens of the United States or eligible noncitizens.