How Eligibility for Need-Based Aid is Determined

Each school determines its own educational cost, which is commonly known as the Student Budget or the Cost of Attendance.

Your Cost of Attendance (Student Budget) at UMass Boston includes the following:

+ Tuition and Fees
+ Living Allowance
+ Books
+ Transportation
+ Personal Expenses
= Cost of Attendance (COA)

The information you provide on your FAFSA is used in a formula to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This figure, which appears on your student aid report, is the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your Cost of Attendance.

The Cost of Attendance minus your Expected Family Contribution equals your Financial Need.

Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution

= Financial Need

If your financial need is zero you may still be eligible for non-need based aid such as loans and merit based awards.  It is always a wise decision to apply for financial aid, regardless of your financial situation.