<p>I was reading the financial aid threads on the forum and everyone talks about their EFC, but I can't find my EFC anywhere. On my financial aid form there is COA ( Cost of Attendance ) but no mention of EFC.</p>
<p>So my question is, are they talking about the FAFSA EFC or is there a hidden USC EFC somewhere?</p>
<p>Like many private schools, USC uses the CSSProfile in addition to the FAFSA to determine need. USC will calculate your USC EFC. You will find this out when you get your financial aid package. You can estimate with the calculators, but they range from accurate to wildly inaccurate depending on your parents’ assets. Your FAFSA determined EFC can be VERY different than your USC EFC because it doesn’t take into account many assets (home equity usually being the largest thing-- the Profile takes into account more assets).</p>
<p>On your award letter look for the “family contribution.” It is the difference between COA and the aid offered. That is your “USC efc.”</p>
<p>I am assuming you are a student who has applied and been admitted to USC, applied for aid and received an award letter.</p>