Financial Aid Basics

Q: What is the purpose of financial aid?
A: The primary purpose of financial aid is to assist students who otherwise would be unable to pursue their education. The basic premise of financial aid programs is that the primary responsibility for meeting college costs lies with the student and parents. Financial aid provides aid when the family is unable to meet the cost of attendance.

Q: What is financial need?
A: To determine a student's eligibility for financial aid, we calculate a student's demonstrated financial NEED. Need is the difference between the cost of education and what the parents and student might reasonably be expected to contribute to meet college costs. These contributions are determined by using the Federal Methodology as administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
Q: How do I create an FSA ID? My passport to Financial Aid?
Follow this LINK for instructions and information about creating the ID you need to access you FAFSA and other information.

Q: Where does the information that is used to calculate need come from?
A: The expected parental and student contributions are calculated based on the financial information provided by the parents and student on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Aid) and a Federal Income Tax Return. The analysis system attempts to judge how much a family can realistically afford to contribute, not how much they will pay. The system is concerned with objective facts of a family's financial position and not with the family's financial practices. The analysis procedure is used to determine an expected family contribution based not only upon income, but upon a variety of other variables as well: family size, number of family members attending college, taxes paid, investments, and so forth.

Q: Should I apply for Student Financial Aid?
A: Yes. Emerald Coast Technical College encourages all students, on both campuses, to apply for financial aid. Financial aid is designed to assist one in meeting the costs of attending college through means such as grants, loans, college work-study program, and/or scholarships.