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1) Figure out your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to know what your student/family will be expected to pay annually so you can plan and save accordingly.

 

• The EFC is an estimate of the minimum amount that colleges or programs will expect your family to pay annually. (This number may be higher than families think they can afford.)

• The EFC determines if a student qualifies for federal and state financial aid.

• Institutions (colleges and programs) use the EFC for their aid decisions, but don’t always meet the full financial need.

• Families need to know their EFC so they can plan to save, figure out how to maximize their aid, and be ready to take out loans or make other plans (such as students living at home).

 

Calculate your EFC using the calculator at bigfuture.collegeboard.org.

 

2) Estimate Your Student’s Cost of Attendance (COA)

 

Once you calculate your EFC, look at a few two and four-year colleges or technical certification programs to see what their complete costs are. Here we are providing the Standard Costs of Attendance for 2022-23 for Oregon Postsecondary Institutions. To estimate the costs of more specific colleges, the College Navigator can be used to get more precise annual college cost data.

 

You can then use this College Cost Calculator to determine rough estimates of what to expect from college costs, and in turn, how much to begin budgeting for it. 

 

3) Determine your Financial Need

 

Subtract your EFC from the total cost to attend school annually (COA) to determine your financial need. [COA-EFC=Financial Need]

• Schools usually do not meet 100% of your financial need, so there is often a financial gap that will need to be filled. A general guideline is that student debt should not exceed the student’s expected gross income in the first year after graduation.

• The sooner you assess your need, the sooner you can strategize to maximize the aid your student can get.

 

4) Understand Ways to Save for College

 

To cover the EFC and decrease financial need, understand the most effective ways to save for college:

• Understand that your expected family contribution (EFC) is based more on family income (47%) than assets (only 5%).

• Neither the federal government nor most colleges count parents'/guardians' retirement accounts toward paying for college.

• 529s are considered a parents'/guardians' asset by the federal government and most colleges so they are sound ways to save for college.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will determine the need based on the income of the custodial parent/guardian.

• Private schools that use CSS PROFILE for their own methodology may also consider the assets of the non-custodial parent/guardian.

 

5) Maximize Your Financial Aid

• Research financial aid early, so you have time to find and apply to options that are right for you.
• Keep your grades up and develop good test-taking skills. Merit-based awards and scholarships have minimum GPAs and ACT/SAT scores.
• Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual credit classes provide opportunities for you to earn college credits and save money.
• Research scholarships based on your talents and interests.
• Consider which organizations or entities provide the aid, so you can prioritize your applications.  
• Understand the main sources of aid. See detailed information on our Financial Aid webpage