Understanding College Financial Aid Awards

by Judy Dahl

Helping your son or daughter choose a college is a complex process. Your student likely applied to several schools and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see, based on your family's income and expenses, what you're expected to pay out of pocket for his or her first year of college. That amount is called the expected family contribution (EFC).

Each college that accepts your student sends a financial aid award letter that specifies what federal and institutional grants, institutional scholarships, federal loans, and work study funds your son or daughter would receive for attending that school freshman year. Be aware that financial aid offers might expect your family to pay more out of pocket than your EFC specifies. (See sidebar for definitions).

You compare the letters to determine which school is offering the best award package so you can make an informed decision about which college to attend. Sounds simple, right? Well, not really.