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 Determining Your Financial Need

Cost of Attendance [COA] for 2008-2009 is based on an assumption of full-time enrollment for two semesters.

A student's cost of attendance is based on enrollment of 12 credit hours or more per semester (Fall-Spring) and differentiates between Resident and Non-Resident tuition.

Other Expenses

In addition to tuition, a student should budget for other types of expenses, i.e., money to pay for books and supplies, transportation to and from campus, living and miscellaneous expenses.The Financial Aid Office makes allowances for other expenses.

Total Cost of Attendance (COA) for a New Mexico resident enrolled full-time (Fall-Spring) and living with parents' will have a budget of $8,170. If living off-campus (not living with parents) the budget will be $13,120.

Family's Expected Contribution (EFC)

You (and your parent(s)' or spouse, if applicable) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to the federal processor. Given the income, asset, and household information provided, an expected family contribution (EFC) is computed using a federally mandated formula, i.e., Federal Methodology.

SJC's Financial Aid Office uses the data received from the federal processor to determine:

1. Your dependency status.
2. Your (and your spouse, if applicable) contribution from your earnings.
3. Your (and your spouse, if applicable) contribution from your assets.
4. Your (and your spouse, if applicable) other resources, e.g., Veterans Benefits.
5. Your parents' contribution from their resources (if applicable).

The EFC is used by the Financial Aid Office to determine your financial aid eligibility and to make financial aid awards.

Financial Aid Eligibility (or Financial Need)

San Juan College's financial aid policy states that the College may award need-based aid up to the student's financial aid eligibility, as determined by the Financial Aid Office and using the Federal Methodology formula. A student's need-based aid eligibility is computed by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Cost of Attendance (COA).

A financial aid package may include a combination of scholarships, grants, work, and/or loan. The actual amount of grant, work, and/or loan a student is offered depends on the student's eligibility and the total amount of funds available to assist all eligible financial aid applicants. Given limited federal, state, and institutional funds, SJC may be unable to award 100% of a student's financial need.