Financial Aid Eligibility

Financial aid eligibility can be defined as the difference between the Cost of Attendance (or Budget) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Individual colleges determine their Cost of Attendance. Costs include tuition/fees, books & supplies, room & board, transportation and personal miscellaneous costs. The Federal Student Aid determines the EFC of each student.

If the student is independent, the EFC is based entirely on the student's and spouces (if applicable) income and assets.

If the student is dependent, the student's and parent's income and assets are included in the needs analysis that determines the EFC. For a detailed explanation of dependency status click here.

The Federal formula for determining financial aid eligibility is:

Financial Aid Eligibility (example)
Cost of Attendance	$21,207
Expected Family Contribution	-$2,000
Total Need	=$19,207

The Financial Aid Office will try to meet the need through a variety of programs, including grants, scholarships, loans and/or work-study. In some cases it is not possible to fully meet a student's need. In such cases, you may wish to consult with a financial aid counselor in our office to explore alternative options. The EFC is also used to determine grant eligibility in certain programs. For instance, full-time undergraduate and credential students must have an EFC of $4041 or less to qualify for a Pell Grant. To qualify for a State University Grant, the EFC must be less than $6,000 and completed the FAFSA by the priority date. Please see a financial aid counselor if you have any questions regarding your award.

Coordination of Resources

In addition to your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office must also take into consideration any other financial/educational resources available to you. These can include veteran's benefits, Cal Grants, various fee waivers, scholarships, Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, Resident Hall Advisor, Foundation stipends, etc. These resources will reduce your eligibility for other forms of financial aid. You are required by law to report to the financial aid office any resources that you will receive so that your award may be adjusted in accordance with federal and state regulations. Failure to do so can result in very severe penalties.

Sequence of Awards

SJSU will always award grants and scholarships first, assuming that you qualify and funds are available. Then any remaining eligibility after grants are awarded will be met with a combination of work-study, loans, or both depending on your preference, as stated on your FAFSA application

Did you know

Financial Aid & Scholarship Office
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0036
408-283-7500
fao@sjsu.edu
Fed. School Code: 001155

Financial Aid Map Location