Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected family contribution (EFC)?
Expected family contribution is the amount of money that the family is expected to contribute toward educational expenses from resources other than financial aid and is based on ability to pay. Factors used to determine a family's contributions include: the previous year's adjusted gross income, assets, size of family, and the number of individuals in the family attending college. The expected family contribution for dependent and independent students is determined differently. The EFC is calculated using the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

I receive no help from my parents and live on my own. Does that qualify me as an independent student?
Not necessarily. In order to be considered as an independent student for purposes of financial aid, you must be able to answer yes to at least one of the following questions:

1. For the 2009-2010 school year: Were you born before January 1, 1986?
2. As of today, are you married?
3. As the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year, will you be working on a masters or doctorate program?
4. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
5. Are you a veteran of the U.S Armed Forces?
6. Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010?
7. Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you, now through June 30, 2010?
8. At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you dependent or ward of the court?
9. Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
10. Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your legal state of residence?
11. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
12. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
13. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional live program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

What is verification?
The Department of Education selects approximately 30% of all FAFSA applicants for a process called verification. If you are selected, you will be asked to complete a verification worksheet and provide copies of your tax returns to the Davis College Financial Aid Office. Spouse or parents' information and other documents may also be requested. Verification must be completed before aid eligibility can be confirmed.

I have a bachelor's degree. May I still apply for Financial Aid?
Students with bachelor's degrees may still apply for the Federal Work-Study Program, Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. These students will not be eligible for the Pell, Academic Competitiveness and FSEOG grants, Ohio College Opportunity Grant, or the Ohio Instructional Grant.

I am divorced / separated. What should I include on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Students who are divorced or separated should not include their spouse's income on the FAFSA. Parent information may be required. For more information on detailed or complicated questions, please contact the Davis College Financial Aid Office.

I was recently married. Do I have to include my spouse's income on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
Yes. A student should include his/her spouse's information on the FAFSA if he/she is married at the time the application is completed. If separate federal income tax returns were filed, combine the adjusted gross incomes from the tax returns and include them on the appropriate line of the FAFSA. Do the same for the amount of taxes paid and other amounts.

What if I lost my job or have other special circumstances?
The Financial Aid Office can take into account special circumstances, which may affect your need. These may include loss of income due to layoff, disability, divorce, separation or loss of untaxed benefits. You can obtain a Financial Aid Adjustment Form from the Financial Aid Office and submit it with supporting documentation. Please note that not all requests for special conditions are approved.