Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The EFC is not an actual amount that you pay to the university. Instead, it is a calculation of how much you and your family can afford to pay, out of pocket, for your educational expenses. The U.S. Department of Education calculates your EFC with the information you (and your parents, if applicable) provide on your FAFSA.

Your EFC calculation depends upon you and your family’s current situation

• Taxed and untaxed income
• Assets (except for the family home)
• Savings and investments
• Household size
• The number of people in your household who are enrolled in college

The amount you can expect to contribute from your own funds will also depend on the amount of financial aid available to award to you after you have completed your application and provided the requested documentation. Your financial aid award will include federal student loan estimates and may include a Parent PLUS loan estimate.

How much will you pay?

Calculate the approximate net price you and your family should expect to pay at SDSU.

• Net Price Calculator: Go to SDSU's Net Price and Cost Calculator and fill in the online form. You will be able to estimate how much grant and loan you may be eligible to receive. You will also be able to estimate the net price you and your family will have to pay from your own funds.
• FAFSA4caster: The FAFSA4caster on the Federal Student Aid website is another tool you can use to obtain an estimate of your family's contribution and how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

See Estimating Your Financial Aid for more information about estimating your costs.