Determining Financial Aid Awards

Determining financial aid awards can be defined as the difference between the Cost of Attendance (COA or Budget) and the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Colleges determine their estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). The budget includes tuition/fees, books & supplies, room & board, transportation and personal miscellaneous costs. The cost of attendance (COA) establishes a student's financial need. It also sets the limit on the total aid that a student may receive for purposes of grants, campus-based programs, and Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized/Unsubsidized/PLUS loans.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The Federal Student Aid determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of each student. The EFC is calculated according to a forumla based on the information provided in a student's FAFSA. 

Example of the federal formula for determining financial aid eligibility:

 Cost of Attendance (COA) $ 25,414
 Minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - $ 2,000
 = Total Financial Need $ 23,414

The EFC is also used to determine grant eligibility. For example:

  • To be eligible for a 2023-2024 Pell Grant, the EFC cannot exceed 6656.
  • To be eligible for the 2023-24 State University Grant, the EFC cannot exceed $6,000. 

Types of Aid

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office will try to meet students financial need through a variety of programs, including:

In some cases, it is not possible to fully meet a student's need. In such cases, you may want to consult with a financial aid representative to explore alternative options.

In addition to your EFC, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office must also take into consideration any other financial/educational resources available to the student. These can include:

  • Cal Grants
  • Various fee waivers
  • Scholarships
  • Vocational rehabilitation benefits
  • Resident hall advisor stipend
  • Foundation stipends, etc.

These resources will reduce your eligibility for other forms of financial aid. Students are required by law to report to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office any additional financial resources that are received so that awards may be adjusted in accordance with federal and state regulations. Failure to do so can result in very severe penalties.

Sequence of Awards

Grants and scholarships are awarded first, assuming qualifications are met, based on availability of funds. Any remaining financial need eligibility will be met with a combination of work-study, loans, or both depending on the student's preference, as indicated on their FAFSA.