Determining Aid Eligibility

When you complete the financial aid process and meet admission, enrollment, and academic progress requirements, your eligibility for aid is determined using the following formula:

UN = COA - EFC - OR

Where

1. UN is Unmet Need, in other words, Financial Aid Eligibility
2. COA is Cost of Attendance
3. EFC is Expected Family Contribution
4. OR is Other Resources like Scholarships, Veterans' Benefits, WIA, etc
   

Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimate of expenses you must meet in order to attend college. Frequently referred to as the student "budget", COA varies depending upon residency (in-state or out-of-state), housing (residing with parents or living on your own), or terms of enrollment. The table below shows four sample budgets for a DACC student, not residing with parents*, enrolling for an academic year (Fall and Spring terms):

General eligibility requirements must be met to receive grants, work study, or loans. You must:

• be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident.   
• have a high school diploma, GED, or proof of passing an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• be registered with Selective Service if you are required to do so (men only).
• meet minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and 66% credit progression requirements throughout your academic history. Satisfactory academic progress must be maintained in order to receive aid. Please click here and refer to page 7 of the NMSU Financial Aid Guide.
• Sign a statement verifying you do not owe a refund on a federal grant nor are you in default on a federal student loan.
• enroll in an eligible program as a degree-seeking student

* Estimated expenses for students living with parents are the same, with the exception of Room and Board which is $ 4,908. Thus, the annual estimated COA for a DACC in-state student, living with parents is $ 10,792.
 
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the dollar amount you and/or your family are expected to contribute to educational expenses in one academic year. This amount is determined by your FAFSA data and the methodology used by the federal government to analyze that data. The EFC appears on the Student Aid Report (SAR) sent to you after FAFSA processing. The EFC also determines Federal Pell Grant eligibility (see Financial Aid Programs for details.)

Other Resources are types of educational assistance you receive that are not reflected in the FAFSA information. These include Veterans' Benefits, WIA, or scholarships.

Unmet Need is the difference (or gap) between the Cost of Attendance at your chosen school and the financial resources you have available to meet those costs (EFC and Outside Resources). Unmet need determines your aid eligibility and is the foundation of the financial aid awarding process. The type and amount of aid offered to fill the unmet need depends on federal regulations for each type of aid and the availability of aid at the time you complete your file. This is why accuracy, diligence, and promptness are so critical to receive the optimal aid package for which you are eligible. For more information on types of aid available, see Financial Aid Programs.