Financial aid is available to help you pay for college. The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total costs to attend UMass Lowell for one academic year, and includes both direct and indirect costs. The cost of attendance is factor in determining a students financial need.

Determining Need for 2024-2025

  • Student Aid Index (SAI) is numerical figure that determines a students eligibility for financial aid. The SAI is calculated by the Department of Education using the financial information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Demonstrated Financial Need is calculated by subtracting the SAI from the COA.  A negative SAI is treated as zero when calculating demonstrated financial need.
  • Example: COA - SAI = Demonstrated Financial Need (Need)

Determining Need for 2023-2024

  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an estimate of the amount of money you (and your parents, if you are dependent) could reasonably contribute toward college costs. EFC is calculated using the financial information on the FAFSA.
  • Demonstrated Financial Need is calculated by subtracting the EFC from the COA.
  • Example: COA - EFC = Demonstrated Financial Need (Need)