<p>I'm a bit confused about the EFC that FASFA shows you on your SAR's. I was wondering if a higher EFC amount is better than a lower one. This year for 2009-2010 was 01051*, is this a good thing of a bad thing. I have read a few posts that some were happy about receiving a EFC of 4000+ so it kind of confused me as to whether a lower EFC was good or not?!?</p>
<p>Your EFC is your expected family contribution. In the example by the OP...the amount minimally that the colleges "expect" the family to contribute is $1051. Is that a good number?? Well...most of that depends on the financial aid policies of your colleges. </p>
<p>If your school is one of the small number that meet full need, it would mean that your family would contribute about $1000 to your college costs per year. BUT be aware...MOST schools do not meet full need. The %age of your need being met varies wildly from school to school AND even from applicant to applicant within the same school for schools that do NOT meet full need. </p>
<p>For schools that meet full need, MOST also require either the Profile or a school financial aid form which asks for financial and asset information in addition to what is provided on the FAFSA. Most notably, they ask for equity in your primary home...and also for financial information from non-custodial parents if the parents happen to be divorced or separated.</p>
<p>In addition, many schools meeting full need also require a STUDENT contribution annually.</p>
<p>WOW all this FASFA and college stuff is a big headache. Thank you for the clarification. I'm guessing that my EFC being that low is good in my case.</p>