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Financial Aid Analysis

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

We complete the financial aid analysis for you and it is an estimate of what your "Expected Family Contribution" (EFC) will be. The results and/or recommendations provided are intended to be used for your planning and estimating purposes. The only way you can receive financial aid, that includes federal and state assistance, is to fill out and file the appropriate free Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any state aid applications where required.

Financial Aid Process

Applying and qualifying for financial aid is an on going process which can be frustrating and time-consuming. You will need to go through this process each year you attend college. In some instances, there will be renewal applications which require only updating, such as Pell Grants.  In order to expedite the process and make it as painless as possible, Our Service provides steps, and solutions in The Power of Working Together®.

The Financial Aid Package

Before families can speak effectively with aid administrators about the contents of a financial aid package, they must understand how the FAA (Financial Aid Administrator) puts such a package together, and consequently where he or she might have some flexibility. Our Service will help you by pre-preparing necessary documentation, and even help you negotiate with your FAA.

Layers of Your Package

1. Pell and State Grants
2. Outside Scholarships
3. Federal Programs
4. Collegiate Resources
5. Guaranteed Funds

Families Without Financial Need

If the family has no financial need and the school really wants the student, the FAA may offer the student a non-need based award, or recommend the family use one of Uncle Sam's non-need based loan programs to help manage it's cash flow.

Negotiating the Aid Package

A family's success in getting an award letter revised depends on several factors:

• The availability of discretionary funds. Make your request as early as possible because the money runs out fast!
• The skill (and tact) with which the family presents its case. If your family has had a recent change in situation, document the change carefully and contact the FAA!
• The caliber of the student. If the college really wants you to enroll, the FAA can usually be of more help.

You are not dickering over the price of a used car. FAA's are professionals with an average salary around $40,000. In other words, they won't show a lot of sympathy for the six figure crowd unable to make ends meet. Also, they're primarily dispensing public funds (i.e., tax money). Despite Mr. Gore's best efforts to "re-invent" government, that still means the process is controlled by lots of rules and regulations all tied together with red tape. While the FAA often has more discretion over the school's own funds, frequently there's not very much of this money to go around.

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