Expected Family Contribution or Student Aid Index

File your FAFSA

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

Financial aid awards for fall 2024

For the 2024-25 aid year, it will be easier for families to complete the FAFSA with the streamlined FAFSA application. UMassD anticipates sending first-year student awards letters in late April/early May. Returning students can still expect their initial award letters in late May/early June.

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) / Student Aid Index (SAI) is determined by the data you supplied on your FAFSA, and is calculated by an established formula called the Federal Methodology.

Your EFC / SAI 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 / SAI.

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

EFC / SAI Adjustments

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

  • underreporting of income
  • savings or other assets
  • over reported taxes paid
  • tax exemptions
  • reported business and/or real estate income or losses that may not be indicative of your real income
  • corrections processed but the Department of Education

Conversely, an adjustment to the EFC / SAI 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
  • 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.