<p>Does anyone know a reliable source to calculate EFC (expected family contribution)?</p>
<p>They have fairly reliable EFC calculators on line. </p>
<p><a href=“Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – BigFuture | College Board”>https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/paying-your-share/expected-family-contribution-calculator</a></p>
<p>And this quick EFC estimator is actually very accurate for us - <a href=“Quick EFC - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid;
<p>If you’re concerned about what a school may cost you then it’s best to go to each school’s web site and run their net price calculators.</p>
<p>Thanks! I will try it.</p>
<p>EFC means nothing even for some schools that claim to meet need. You better check the NPC for each school you interested instead.</p>
<p>Lots of schools will calculate their own notion of EFC for financial aid purposes, rather than using FAFSA EFC. Ways that FAFSA EFC and schools’ own EFCs can differ:</p>
<ul>
<li>With divorced parents, the non-custodial parent’s income and assets are included.</li>
<li>Assets can include home equity.</li>
<li>Self employment, business, or farm income may be increased due to adding back deductions.</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, regardless of what EFC a school uses, it may or may not give good financial aid. Remember also that even good financial aid schools will expect a student contribution (federal direct loan and/or work earnings), so the net price will include that as well as whatever EFC the school uses.</p>