How is your financial aid for college calculated?

The financial aid staff starts by deciding upon your cost of attendance (COA) at that school. They then consider your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). They subtract your EFC from your COA to determine the amount of your financial need and therefore how much need-based aid you can get.

How much financial aid money will I get?

Average and maximum financial aid

Type of Aid Average Amount Maximum Amount
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant $670 $4,000
Total Federal Student Aid $13,120 (dependent) $14,950 (independent) $19,845 to $21,845 (dependent) $23,845 to $32,345 (independent)
Total Federal Grants $4,980 $10,345

How much money does FAFSA give per semester?

For the 2019–20 academic year, individual students can receive a maximum of $6,195. Pell Grants are disbursed per semester if your school uses the semester system. For example, if you receive $2,000 total in Pell Grants for the year, you will get $1,000 per semester.

How much money can my parents make to qualify for FAFSA?

There is no explicit income cutoff on eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is based on the expected family contribution (EFC), not income.

How much will my Pell Grant be?

The maximum amount of money you can get from a Pell Grant is: $6,495 (2021-22). The amount granted depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

How can I get the most financial aid from FAFSA?

File the FAFSA to Get More Money in College

  1. File the FAFSA early.
  2. Minimize income in the base year.
  3. Reduce reportable assets.
  4. Save strategically.
  5. Spend strategically.
  6. Coordinate 529 college savings plans with the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC).
  7. Maximize the number of children in college at the same time.