Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

• Statutory Authority

  • U.S. Code, Title 20—Education Chapter 28—Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance Subchapter IV—Student Assistance > Part E—Need Analysis §§ 1087kk – 1087vv [HEA §§ 471 – 480]

• Regulations

  The law prohibits ED from regulating any aspect of need analysis, including expected family contribution. See Subtopics for other related regulations.

• ED References

  See also Subtopics for more specific references.

  • Federal Register, 5/31/2019 [Federal Need Analysis Methodology for the 2020-21 Award Year]
  • Federal Register, 6/8/2018 [Correction: Federal Need Analysis Methodology for the 2019-2020 Award Year]
  • Federal Register, 5/17/2018 [Federal Need Analysis Methodology for the 2019-2020 Award Year]
  • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
  • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20
  • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG

• NASFAA Publications and Articles

  • NASFAA AskRegs Knowledgebase

    Search or browse the Knowledgebase for answers to regulatory and compliance questions submitted by financial aid administrators.

  • NASFAA U Authorized Events

    NASFAA U Authorized Events are a comprehensive set of instructional materials for teaching financial aid concepts to groups of individuals. Materials include a study guide, instructor guide and accompanying presentation slides.

  • NASFAA U Self-Study Guides

    NASFAA U Self-Study Guides are written for the independent learner. Each Self-Study Guide includes multiple lessons with a variety of exercises to reinforce each lesson.  Individuals do independent study and take quizzes in a traditional paper format (not online). Then you can qualify to take a test and earn a professional credential.

• Subtopics

  • Age of parent / Parents’ Education Savings and Asset Protection Allowance

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

  • Age of student / Asset Protection Allowance

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

  • Assets

    • Excluded assets

      See also Simplified formula (Simplified needs test)

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Included assets

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Ownership

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Protection allowances

      See Age of parent or Age of student

    • Qualified education benefits

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Rental Property

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Take-back mortgages

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Trust funds

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

  • Auto Zero EFC

    • General information

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

    • Auto zero EFC flag

      • The ISIR Guide, 2020-21
      • The ISIR Guide, 2019-20

    • Dislocated worker/displaced homemaker definitions

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Foreign tax return

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

    • Students whose parent died in the line of duty as a public safety officer

      • P.L. 115-141
      • 20 U.S. Code Sec. 1087mm(b) [HEA §473(b)]
      • Electronic Announcement, 11/19/18

    • Student whose parent died as a result of service in Iraq or Afghanistan

      • GEN-17-06
      • GEN-16-11
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

  • Data elements used in EFC determinations

    • U.S.C. §1087nn(b) [HEA §474]

  • Dependency status/Definition of independent student

    • Definition of independent student

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

    • Homelessness determinations

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 5

  • Dependent student EFC calculation (Formula A)

    • Formula description

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

    • Worksheets

      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

  • EFC change flag

    • The ISIR Guide, 2020-21
    • The ISIR Guide, 2019-20

  • EFC Formulas

    See Data elements used in EFC determinations; Dependent student EFC calculation (Formula A); Independent student with dependents EFC calculation (Formula C); Independent student without dependents EFC calculation (Formula B); Auto zero

  • EFC Worksheet

    See Dependent student EFC calculation (Formula A); Independent student with dependents EFC calculation (Formula C); Independent student without dependents EFC calculation (Formula B);

  • Enrollment periods other than nine months (Alternate EFCs)

    See also individual EFC calculation formula entries.

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
    • The ISIR Guide, 2020-21
    • The ISIR Guide, 2019-20

  • Household (family) size

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

  • Income

    • Cash support and in-kind income

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Combat pay

      • GEN-05-16, Q&A 17
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Excluded income: general information

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Extended Foster Care Payments

      • GEN-13-18
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Indicators of income

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Prenuptial agreements

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Untaxed income: general information

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Wages vs. student financial aid

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

  • Income protection allowance components

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

  • Independent student with dependents other than a spouse EFC calculation (Formula C)

    • Formula description

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

    • Worksheets

      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

  • Independent student without dependents other than a spouse EFC calculation (Formula B)

    • Formula description

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3

    • Worksheets

      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
      • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20

  • Marital status

    • Marital status of student

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Remarried parent

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 4

    • Same-sex marriages (Defense of Marriage Act – DOMA)

      • GEN-14-15
      • GEN-13-25
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Surviving parent/stepparent

      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

    • Unmarried parents living together (including separated or divorced parents living together)

      • GEN-13-12
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2
      • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 4

  • Number in college

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 2

  • Primary and secondary EFCs

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
    • The ISIR Guide, 2020-21
    • The ISIR Guide, 2019-20

  • Simplified formula (Simplified needs test)

    • 2019-20 FSA Handbook, Vol. AVG, Ch. 3
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2020-21
    • The EFC Formula Guide, 2019-20