Definitions for "Parent Contribution"
The Parent Contribution (PC) is an estimate of the portion of the student's educational expenses that the parents are expected to contribute. It is based on their income, the number of parents earning income, assets, family size, the number of family members currently attending a university, and other relevant factors. Students who qualify as independent are not expected to have a parent contribution.
Based on the parents' income and assets, this is one of two factors used to determine the Expected Family Contribution or EFC (PC + SC = EFC).  The PC is calculated from information on the FAFSA.
A quantitative estimate of the parents' ability to contribute to postsecondary educational expenses.