How to Determine Income Eligibility
for KC Scholars

1. What is an EFC?

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount of annual support a family can be expected to contribute towards a student’s college education. It is calculated according to a formula established by the Department of Education. The calculation is based in part on household income, household assets, number of members in the family, and number of family members that will be in college at the same time. Applicants must use tax information from the prior-prior tax year as is standard and accepted practice for completion of the FAFSA or Federal Student Aid Estimator

2. Why does KC Scholars use the EFC to determine an applicant's financial eligibility?

KC Scholars was designed to serve low- and modest-income students and adults. The program requires eligible applicants to have a ≤ 12,000 EFC (Expected Family Contribution on the Federal Student Aid Estimator or FAFSA). This number matches the income eligibility requirement for the Missouri Access state needs-based program, and the Kansas needs-based program uses a 11,000 EFC (even lower than for KC Scholars).

An applicant must provide an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) calculation at the time of application in order for his/her application to be evaluated. An EFC estimate provided by the Federal Student Aid Estimator is acceptable at the time of application.

3. My 2020 household income is different than my normal income because of COVID-19. How should I calculate my EFC?

If your family had a significant change in income during 2020 due to COVID-19, you still must complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator with your 2020 income information and enter the EFC in the KC Scholars application.

If you are prompted to then retake the Eligibility Requirement Check, please contact us at info@kcscholars.org ASAP so we can determine if you are eligible for an appeal. Use “COVID Appeal” in the subject line of your email.

We highly encourage you to do this early so you have plenty of time for a review and to complete your application.

4. If I am awarded a KC Scholars scholarship do I have to verify my EFC every year?

Yes. All awardees must complete the FAFSA each year they are enrolled in college to verify their EFC. 9^th & 11^th grade awardees must also complete the FAFSA during their senior year of high school. A FAFSA calculation must be provided prior to payment of a scholarship and/or renewal of a scholarship. Scholarship recipients (for their annual renewal application) will use tax information from the prior-prior tax year as is standard and accepted practice for completion of the FAFSA or Federal Student Aid Estimator.

5. What happens if my EFC goes above 12,000 after I become a KC Scholar?

It is possible that an awardee’s EFC would change between the time of application, college enrollment, and/or scholarship renewal (if applicable). Thus, an applicant’s EFC will be evaluated at the time of application, at the time of college enrollment and at the time of renewal (if applicable). KCS will review any EFC that has risen above the eligibility requirement of 12,000 or less.

It is also possible that a Scholar may be selected for verification of their FAFSA data. When this happens the postsecondary institution the Scholar attends will verify information used for FAFSA completion and the resulting EFC.

If an EFC changes to be greater than the eligibility criteria of 12,000 or less, the postsecondary institution will notify KCS. Awardees with EFCs above 12,000 have the opportunity to appeal to maintain their scholarship. KCS may apply professional judgment to grant an exception to this income limit in unusual circumstances where fairness and consistency of administration lead KCS to believe that it should grant an exception, however appeal approvals are not guaranteed. If a student’s appeal is not approved, he or she will be dismissed from the program.

How to Calculate Your EFC

We strongly encourage all adult learner applicants to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA to calculate their EFC, however if you are unable to complete the FAFSA due to your residency status, scroll down to the section entitled "Find Your EFC with the Federal Student Aid Estimator"

Find Your EFC with the 2022-2023 FAFSA

Step 1: Gather your 2020* tax forms and documentation of current assets (cash, checking & savings accounts, non-retirement investments, etc.)

Step 2: Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA. Review the FAFSA Completion Guide to find answers to frequently asked questions about the FAFSA.

Step 3: The EFC will appear on the FAFSA confirmation page. Enter your EFC in the Eligibility Requirement Check on the KC Scholars Scholarship Application

OR

Find Your EFC with the Federal Student Aid Estimator
(Alternate Option if you cannot complete the FAFSA)

Step 1: Gather your 2020* tax forms and documentation of current assets (cash, checking & savings accounts, non-retirement investments, etc.).

Step 2- Review our Federal Student Aid Estimator Guide to make sure you complete the calculator according to KC Scholars' requirements.

Step 3: Complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator using your household's 2020 income information.


Step 4: Write down your EFC and enter this number in the KC Scholars Eligibility Requirement Check section of the application.

*Note: If you had a significant change of income during 2020 due to COVID-19, you still must complete the FAFSA with your 2020 income information and enter the EFC in the KC Scholars Eligibility Requirement Check section of the scholarship application.

If you are prompted to then retake the Eligibility Requirement Check, please contact us at info@kcscholars.org ASAP so we can determine if you are eligible for an appeal. Use “COVID Appeal” in the subject line of your email.

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How to Calculate Your EFC

Step 1 - Collect your family's 2020* tax forms and any documentation of current assets (cash, checking & savings accounts, non-retirement investments, etc.)

Step 2- You will use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to find your EFC. Review our Federal Student Aid Estimator Guide to make sure you complete the calculator according to KC Scholars' requirements.

Step 3 - Complete the Federal Student Aid Estimator using your family's 2020 income information. We've created an EFC Calculator Worksheet that includes all of the information you'll need to complete the calculator.

Step 4 - Write down your EFC and enter this number in the KC Scholars Eligibility Requirement Check section of the application. The Traditional & College Savings Match applications will open January 1, 2022; please do not create an account prior to this date.

*Note: If your family had a significant change of income during 2020 due to COVID-19, you still must complete the College Board EFC Calculator with your 2020 income information and enter the EFC in the KC Scholars application beginning January 1, 2022.

If you are prompted to then retake the Eligibility Requirement Check, please contact us at info@kcscholars.org ASAP so we can determine if you are eligible for an appeal. Use “COVID Appeal” in the subject line of your email.