Formerly known as expected family contribution (EFC)
The process used to evaluate your Student Aid Index (SAI) is based on national norms and ordinary situations. The university will use the SAI from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate your eligibility for aid. Some of the components used to determine an SAI include adjusted gross income, untaxed income and benefits, savings and investments, business net worth, and an allowance for state and other taxes. Need is defined as cost of attendance minus the SAI.
It is important to remember that costs vary from one college to another. It is crucial to calculate the difference between the awards and the college costs to know what the actual cost to the family will be.
Late applications are welcomed, but not all funding may be available.
An example of our current year:
Direct Costs |
Amount |
First-Year Student Tuition 2024-251 |
$52,670 |
Student Fees2 |
$2,000 |
Technology Fee |
$810 |
Housing and Food |
$17,260 |
Total Direct Costs |
$72,740 |
From this, deduct all grants, scholarships and loans |
For example: ($36,340) |
Then, the amount the family would pay would be |
$36,400 |
1 Tuition figures assume a student is taking 12-16 credits per semester. Credits taken in excess of 16 are billed at $1,210 per credit. Part-time student budgets are prorated and calculated using part-time tuition costs.
2 Student fees cover the experiences and services that complement and support academics.
We’re Here to Help
If the student aid index is more than your family is able to pay, don’t panic.
Because individual circumstances vary, some applications require a more personalized approach. Talk to the university’s Office of Financial Aid about your situation.
Recognize, however, that the primary responsibility for meeting college costs rests with your family.
Financial aid is intended to supplement, not replace, family contribution. To ease the burden, families can: