The financial amount that parents are expected to contribute to meet postsecondary educational expenses, based on the need analysis formula.
The amount a student's parents can be expected to contribute to their son or daughter's education; based on analysis of their income and assets.
A quantitative estimate - calculated by the federal government - of the parents' ability to contribute to postsecondary educational expenses.
The amount the student's family is expected to pay toward college costs from its income and assets. The figure is derived from a need analysis of the parents' financial situation. The parents' contribution and the student's contribution together constitute the total family contribution, which, when subtracted from the college expense budget, equals financial need. Generally, students are eligible for financial aid equal to their financial need.