Finance Undergraduate Study

Expected family contribution (EFC) is a measure used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid as well as how much aid a student can receive. Students with little to no EFC have the most to gain from submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which facilitates access to greater amounts of grant aid as well as subsidized student loans. There are notable differences across racial and ethnic groups regarding EFC. In 2015-16, 39.1 percent of undergraduate students had an EFC of $0, with shares ranging from 29.7 percent of White students and 39.1 percent of Asian students to 58.3 percent of Black or African American students.