Need-Based Aid
Financial assistance determined by a family's demonstrated financial need, typically calculated using FAFSA (US) or equivalent forms.
Need-based financial aid is awarded according to a family's demonstrated ability to pay for education, as determined by standardized financial assessment tools. In the US, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile calculate Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Universities may meet a portion or all of demonstrated need through a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. Institutions that 'meet full need' guarantee that admitted students receive enough aid to cover the gap between total cost and family contribution, though the mix of grant vs. loan aid varies significantly.
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