Need Analysis

Financial aid is intended to supplement, not replace, a family's resources. (A family's resources include the student's resources, spouse's resources if married at the time of application, and parents' resources if dependent.) For that reason, most families should think of themselves as the first and probably primary source of funds for college. Annual family taxable and nontaxable income is not the only factor that is considered in evaluating your eligibility for financial aid. A family's assets also are considered, since a family with assets (such as a savings account or investments) is considered to be in a stronger financial position than a family with the same income, but no assets.

Families provide financial information about themselves on a need analysis document such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is sent to a federal student aid processor where a need analysis is performed using a standard formula. The processor sends the information to the student in the form of a Student Aid Report (SAR). The Financial Aid office reviews the calculations and determines the student's ability to contribute to the costs of education based upon the information the student supplied and federal regulations. We then do our best to cover as much of the individual's need as resources in the aid programs permit.

Standard student budgets are reviewed annually using national averages for student expenses established by an annual nationwide survey by the College Scholarship Service. Budgets are intended to help students meet the minimum essential costs related to education.

View the appropriate budget:

• Undergraduate In-State Independent Students and Dependent Students Not Living with a Parent
• Undergraduate In-State Dependent Students
• Undergraduate Out-of-State Independent Students and Dependent Students Not Living with a Parent
• Undergraduate Out-of-State Dependent Students
• Undergraduate Less Than Half-Time Students
• Graduate Students
• Graduate Less Than Half-Time Students