Eligibility for federal, state, Carnegie Mellon and most private aid programs is determined by using a Congressional formula called Federal Methodology. It uses your parent(s)' and your total taxable and untaxed 2008 income, current equity in assets, which you were required to report on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and size of household and number enrolled in college at least half-time, to determine the amount you are expected to pay toward your education. This amount is called your Expected Family Contribution.
Carnegie Mellon believes that noncustodial parents have a responsibility to contribute to their child's educational expenses. The Noncustodial Parent Contribution is calculated using child support and noncustodial parent information from the Carnegie Mellon Financial Aid Application and the Noncustodial Parent Information Form.
After we confirm your EFC, we calculate your financial need:
Cost of Attendance -minus- Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
Cost of Attendance is the expected dollar amount you will need to attend Carnegie Mellon
for an academic year. Please refer to the Tuition & Fees Information Page for this year's Cost of
Attendance.