Paying for College

Expected Family Contribution Estimation Tool

Welcome to the Trip to College EFC Estimation Tool! By answering a few questions about your family's financial situation, you will receive an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range. The goal of this estimator is to provide you with a rough estimate of your EFC in order to better understand the kinds of financial assistance that may be available for college. The estimate provided is based upon a simplified version of the current federal methodology for dependent students - the formula used in calculating the EFC which is adjusted every year (and is subject to legislative change). To simplify the estimation process, several assumptions have been made. Consequently, the estimate produced is meant for information purposes only. Your actual EFC and corresponding financial aid eligibility may be different when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for financial assistance as a (prospective) college student. As such, IYI does not guarantee the accuracy of the results.

Household Information: (All required fields)
Number in household: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Include the parent(s)/stepparent living in the household in which the student resides, the student for whom you are filling out this estimator, other children of the parent(s)/stepparent who receive at leaset 50% of their financial support from the parent(s)/stepparent in the household, and any other people who receive the majority of their financial support from the parent(s)/stepparent in the household.
Number in college: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Include the student for whom you are filling out this estimator and any other children included in the number in household (above) who will also be enrolled in college at least half-time when the student for whom you are filling out this form enrolls. Do not include parent(s)/stepparent in college in this number.
Number of parents in household:
Age of older parent (as of 12/31/2011)
Student Financial Information (All fields required; $0 is an acceptable entry)
Student's taxable (gross) wages from work in 2011:	$
Untaxed income received by the student in 2011: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Other untaxed income received and/or paid on the student's behalf. Do not include untaxed Social Security benefits.	$
Net value of assets in student's name or under student's Social Security number: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Assets that should be reported include all financial accounts such as cash, checking, savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market funds, certificates of deposit, Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA)/Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) accounts, trust funds, etc. that are in the student's name and/or to which the student is legally entitled.	$
Parent Financial Information (All fields required except AGI; $0 is an acceptable entry)
Father's (or stepfather's) taxable (gross) wages from work in 2011: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Include the income of the father or stepfather included in the number in household.	$
Mother's (or stepmother's) taxable (gross) wages from work in 2011: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Include the income of the mother or stepmother included in the number in household.	$
Parent(s)/stepparent's adjust gross income (AGI) in 2011: (If unknown, leave blank) *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Include the adjusted gross income of the parent(s)/stepparent living in the household in which the student resides (and whose wages are listed above). You can find this information on your most recent federal tax return.	$
Untaxed income received by the parent(s)/stepparent in 2011: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Common sources of untaxed income include child support received, tax-deferred payments to retirement plans, worker's compensation, untaxed portions of IRA distributions or pensions, housing/living allowances paid to military or clergy, Veterans noneducation benefits and other untaxed income received and/or paid on your behalf. Do not include untaxed Social Security benefits, Earned Income Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, student aid, welfare payments, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), benefits from flexible spending arrangements (e.g., cafeteria plans).	$
Net value of assets in parent(s)/stepparent's names: *Helpful Tip Tool Tip Assets that should be reported include all financial accounts such as cash, checking, savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money market funds, certificates of deposit, trust funds, etc. The value of primary residences, retirement accounts and life insurance should NOT be included. Other assets that should be reported include 529 plans and Coverdell education savings plans (if owned by the parent/stepparent), the net value of real estate other than the primary residence as well as business/farm assets related to companies that are NOT family owned and controlled and/or employ more than 100 FTEs. (Family farms and family owned businesses employing 100 or fewer FTEs do not have to be reported.)	$
Student Information:
Select the grade of the student for whom you are filling out this form:
Select the city in which the student attends school: View All \| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Select the student's school: View All \| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z