FAFSA-Related Terms

This page outlines important FAFSA‑related terms and definitions to help navigate the federal student aid process.

Contact the Finance Office for more information.

Dependent Students: A student who relies on their parents for financial support and who must report financial information for their parents on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for aid.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC): A number used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid. This number results from the financial information the student provides on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The EFC is reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR). Financial aid administrators determine an applicant's need for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education and other sources of assistance by subtracting the EFC from the student's cost of attendance. The formula changed to a Student Aid Index (SAI) starting in the Academic Year 2024-25.

Federal Grants: Grants provided by federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Education that do not need to be repaid. These include Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Need-based and merit-based educational assistance funds and training vouchers may be provided by other federal agencies such as the Veteran's Administration, Department of Labor, etc.).

Federal Loans: Include Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans as well as Parents PLUS loans awarded primarily for term bill balances and education abroad opportunities.

Independent Student: A student who meets one or more of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, or someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor, or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Pell Grant Program: (Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart I, as amended.) Provides grant assistance to eligible undergraduate postsecondary students with demonstrated financial need to help meet education expenses. State and Local Government Grants - State and local monies awarded to the institution under state and local student aid programs, including the state portion of State Student Incentives Grants (SSIG).

Student Aid Index: A number used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid. This number results from the financial information the student provides on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAI is reported on the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). Financial aid administrators determine an applicant's need for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education and other sources of assistance by subtracting the SAI from the student's cost of attendance.