How is Financial Aid Determined?

The position of all colleges is that the primary responsibility of financing a college education belongs to the student and his or her family, and that the various forms of aid listed above are intended to supplement this effort. Most financial aid is based on "need" that is demonstrated in a financial aid application. Through an analysis of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) a fair estimate of what a family can provide for educational expenses is determined (family contribution), and what "need" is remaining. The FAFSA evaluates such factors as household size, number in college, family income, assets, liabilities, retirement needs and employment earnings. It is the "need" which determines the amount of federal aid you are eligible to receive.