Determining Financial Need
Financial Need = Cost of Attendance minus Total Family Contribution.
The cost of attendance (COA) is the sum of direct and estimated costs (see our page for more information). The total family contribution (TFC) is comprised of the parental contribution (custodial and non-custodial in a divorced/separated/never married family situation) and the student contribution.
51ÁÔÆæ requires U.S. citizens and permanent residents to complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); international students are required to complete the CSS Profile application only. These applications, along with supporting documentation, will be used to analyze each family's income, assets, and household information to determine an appropriate family contribution. Demonstrated financial need is calculated by subtracting the Total Family Contribution from the Cost of Attendance. 51ÁÔÆæ meets student's demonstrated need with a combination of scholarships/grants, work-study or campus employment, and federal student loan, as applicable.
To help your family at 51ÁÔÆæ, we have developed two unique tools: MyinTuition and Net Price Calculator. (Understand this is only an estimate and only as accurate as the information that is provided; 51ÁÔÆæ’s own analysis may differ from what is shown. This tool is intended for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are prospective students.)
Guidelines
- The family is viewed as the primary source of funding for a 51ÁÔÆæ education. Financial information from biological, adoptive, custodial, and non-custodial (including spouse if remarried) parents will be considered.
-
A factor in your family contribution will be siblings who are enrolled in undergraduate study and the resources your family may need to divide between children’s education if they are enrolled simultaneously. (Please note: 51ÁÔÆæ does not consider siblings enrolled beyond four years of undergraduate study, graduate study, a second undergraduate degree, less than full-time enrollment, military academy enrollment, or parents enrolled in college as factors in determining eligibility.)
- To be eligible for a 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarship, students must meet deadlines for financial aid materials.
- Financial aid for off-campus study is funded up to the cost of attendance at 51ÁÔÆæ.
- Outside scholarships will first replace self-help (work-study and loan) before they affect 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarship.
- Students are eligible for four years or eight semesters of financial aid. Requests for funding for additional semesters of support would be considered on a case-by-case (appeal) basis.
Contact
Office of Financial Aid