The student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submits the information via the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov or sends a paper application to the federal processing center.

The federal processing center applies a formula established by the U.S. Congress to the information on the FAFSA to determine the student’s eligibility for federal assistance.

This formula produces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. **

The Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to the student and each school the student listed on the FAFSA.

The SAR contains the EFC number and tells the student if they are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

The Financial Aid Office determines the student’s financial need by subtracting the EFC from the College’s total cost of attendance.

Because financial aid funds are limited, the student may fall short of the total amount needed to attend a particular College.

** “Zero EFC” should not be viewed as meaning that all costs will be covered with aid from the College. The EFC is the way in which the Department of Education enables the College to determine the amount of Pell Grant and other Federal Title IV Aid programs. Somerset Christian College uses the EFC to assist in the determination of other need-based aid the student may be eligible to receive from the College.