We’d be the most richly endowed university on the planet if we got a dollar every time we heard that. Everyone who files the FAFSA — even Bill Gates — is eligible to receive some form of financial aid, whether it’s employment programs or low-interest loans. We can’t offer any aid, other than merit-based scholarships, to students who don’t file the FAFSA. It’s worth the effort.

When you complete your FAFSA, send it to the federal aid processing center or file online. It uses a congressionally mandated formula to determine your expected family contribution (EFC), which is the amount your family can afford to contribute toward college expenses. (Remember this is the government we’re talking about, so be prepared.) The center will send your EFC to the schools you indicate on your FAFSA.

We’ll subtract your EFC from the total cost of attending Marquette – tuition, room and board, books, transportation, supplies, late-night pizza cravings, etc. The difference between total cost and your EFC is your demonstrated financial need. If you demonstrate financial need, we’ll award you the appropriate financial aid. Even if you don’t demonstrate need, we can put together a package of loans and employment to defray expenses.

While colleges vary widely in how much they cost, the amount you’re expected to pay doesn’t change. Therefore, your potential for financial aid increases with higher-cost schools.