After completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), citizen students attending college in the United States become eligible first for federal aid, and also for additional types of aid offered by their college and other programs. By filing a FAFSA, a person's ability to pay for college is assessed and determined, including an expected contribution, called an EFC. From this figure, it is then determined if the person is eligible for grants, loans, and other need-based college financial aid that can be offered. The most predominant college financial aid is that of government grants, namely the Federal Pell Grant and state education grants. Students may also be the recipients of loans offered federally, such as the Stafford Loan and Perkins Loan. Need-based scholarships may also use the FAFSA to assess a person's need for college financial aid. The aid provided will pay for tuition, room and board, and various other expenses.
