Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

What is an EFC?

This is the number that’s used to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid. This number results from the financial information provided in financial aid applications. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in the formula. Also considered are your family size and the number of family members who will attend college during the year. A student's EFC is generated after completion of financial aid applications. It is the number utilized by CSUF to determine eligibility for financial aid programs. Similar methodology is utilized for those who have completed the California Dream Act (CDA) Application. 


The EFC is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college and it is not amount of financial aid a student will receive. It is a number used by CSUF to calculate the amount of financial aid a student is eligible to receive.