The total cost to attend college includes tuition, fees, housing, food, and allowances for books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses.
The difference between your family’s resources, which is called the Student Aid Index (SAI), and the total cost of attending college determines your financial need. The SAI is determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
The FAFSA considers the following factors when evaluating the family’s resources:
- Parental income and assets
- Student income and assets
- Family size