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Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

File your FAFSA

File your FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 

Financial aid awards for fall 2024

This year (2024-2025 academic year) it will be easier for families to complete the FAFSA with the streamlined FAFSA application. The new FAFSA form is now available. UMassD anticipates sending award letters in late spring.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Your EFC is determined by the data you supplied on your FAFSA, and is calculated by an established formula called the Federal Methodology.

Your EFC is subtracted from the cost of attendance. The difference is "demonstrated financial need" and represents your maximum eligibility for need-based aid. Non need-based loans may be used to finance all or part of the EFC.

You can calculate your estimated cost of attendance with our net price calculator.

EFC Adjustments

Financial Aid Services may adjust your EFC. Increases result in a decrease in financial aid eligibility. An increase to the EFC may result from, but is not limited to:

  • underreporting of income
  • savings or other assets
  • over reported taxes paid
  • tax exemptions
  • family size or number in college
  • reported business and/or real estate income or losses that may not be indicative of your real income

Conversely, an adjustment to the EFC that may result in an increase to your financial aid eligibility may result from, but is not limited to:

  • over reported income
  • savings or other assets
  • under-reported taxes paid
  • tax exemptions
  • family size or number in college
  • loss of income due to unemployment or underemployment
  • unusual medical expenses not covered by insurance
  • additional educational expenses while you're enrolled at the university

UMass Dartmouth reserves the right to review, modify, or withdraw financial assistance at any time based on information that affects financial aid eligibility. Factors such as availability of funds, awards of funds from other sources, changes in financial, marital, residence or academic status can result in a change in eligibility. 

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