An expected family contribution refers to an amount of money that the student or his family is capable of paying for his higher education as assumed by the federal government. It is calculated by using one of the three formulas by putting together student's income and assets and his parent's income and assets.

This is done if the student is considered as either dependent or independent without dependents or has dependants of his or her own. Also need based financial aid like loans and grants will cover the cost of the college education deducting it from the expected family contribution.

Only certain students re eligible for an EFC of 0. It depends upon the tax form they or their parents used in the previous year. In order to qualify in the EFC of 0, the students, their parents and all should have been eligible for filing their taxes with IRS Form1040A or 1040 EZ.

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