Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator

Calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) using the Federal Methodology for FAFSA. This comprehensive calculator considers parent and student income, assets, family size, number in college, and age to determine your financial aid eligibility. Includes progressive income assessment brackets, asset protection allowances, and estimates need at different college types.

Parent Contribution = Assessed Income (22-47% progressive) + Assessed Assets (12% above protection) | Student Contribution = (Income - $7,600) × 50% + Assets × 20% | EFC = (Parent Contribution / # in College) + Student Contribution | Available Income = AGI - (Federal Tax + State Tax + FICA + Income Protection + Employment Allowance)
Dependent student: Parent AGI $85k, tax $12k, assets $75k, student income $5k, assets $8k, family of 4, 1 in college, parent age 48, married, medium tax state: Parent contribution ~$7,100, Student ~$1,200, Total EFC ~$8,300, Monthly ~$692, Public in-state need ~$18,700

What is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)?

EFC is a measure of your family's financial strength, calculated using income, assets, household size, and number of family members in college. It's used by colleges to determine your financial aid eligibility. A lower EFC means more financial need. Note: Starting 2024-25, FAFSA replaces EFC with Student Aid Index (SAI), which can be negative.

How is EFC calculated for dependent students?

EFC uses both parent and student finances. Parent contribution considers: adjusted gross income (with allowances for taxes, living expenses), assets above a protection allowance (assessed at ~12%), household size, and number in college. Student contribution includes: income above $7,040 (assessed at 50%) and assets (assessed at 20% with no protection).

What assets are counted in the EFC calculation?

Counted assets: cash, savings, checking accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, investment real estate, 529 plans (as parent assets at 5.64% max), trust funds. NOT counted: retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension), home equity (for FAFSA), life insurance, annuities, small business with <100 employees. Asset reporting date matters—strategic timing can help.

How does having siblings in college affect my EFC?

Having multiple children in college simultaneously significantly reduces per-student EFC. The parent contribution portion is divided equally among students in college. For example, if parent contribution is $20,000 and two children are in college, each gets $10,000 EFC from parents (plus their individual student contribution). This can dramatically increase aid eligibility.

What's the difference between Federal Methodology (FM) and Institutional Methodology (IM)?

FM (FAFSA) determines federal aid eligibility. IM (CSS Profile) is used by ~200 colleges for institutional aid and may consider: home equity, non-custodial parent income, retirement contributions, family expenses, siblings in private K-12. IM often results in higher EFC. Some schools use modified FM. Always check what each school requires.

Can I lower my EFC legally?

Strategies: max out retirement contributions before FAFSA base year, pay off debt/bills with savings before filing, time income (bonuses, capital gains) strategically, transfer student assets to parent 529 plans, spend down student assets on necessary purchases, consider grandparent 529 distribution timing (wait until after sophomore year), appeal special circumstances like job loss or medical expenses.