Charting Your Course
By the time you've reached this page, you should have received a Welcome Email from us. As stated in the welcome, we need to begin by gathering data from you. The EFC Data Record is the primary means by which we will gather information from you that we need to prepare your Financial Aid forms.
Your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is an important calculation to know - and understand - BEFORE your forms are submitted. We use - and provide to you - the best EFC software tool on the market - and we'll answer any questions you may have on your family's EFC.
Getting Us The Necessary Data
In order for us to efficiently gather the data we need from you in order to prepare your Financial Aid Forms, we have a software program for you to install. The College Aid Calculator (CAC) from Think Ahead LLC is the vehicle we'll use to gather your data - financial and biographical - in order to prepare your FAFSA Form as well as your CSS PROFILE, if applicable.
ATTENTION: MAC USERS
The CAC (EFC Calculator) is a PC-based ONLY application (sorry!). If you DON'T have access to a PC, click here for a spreadsheet on which to furnish your data. Complete the spreadsheet, and then email it to us at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Again, the spreadsheet is necessary ONLY for Mac users.
Install the CAC (College Aid Calculator)
Please click on the following link and install the program on your hard drive.
(This program is certified "virus-free", we assure you!)
Download the CAC
And to facilitate your data entry, here's a link with instructions:
Preparing for Data Entry
Special Instructions for CAC: F-O-W and P-O-W
Viewing the College Aid Calculator below, notice the 2 buttons just BELOW the header Student Information:
- F-O-W (FAFSA-on-the-Web)
- P-O-W (PROFILE-on-the-Web)
BEFORE you email your EFC Data Record to us, we need you to first click on the F-O-W Button and enter the data requested. Additionally, IF (and only if) your student is applying to a college requiring the CSS PROFILE Form, then we need you to click on the P-O-W Button and enter the data requested. This is VERY important.
Why F-O-W and P-O-W Are Important
There's two types of data that goes onto Financial Aid Forms:
- EFC related data
This data directly has a direct impact on your EFC computation - Non-EFC related data
This data has NO impact on your EFC computation
The F-O-W Button opens a section of the CAC for non-EFC related FAFSA data.
While the FAFSA does not use this data in computing your student's EFC, the data is mandatory in order for the FAFSA form to be approved.
Likewise, the P-O-W Button opens a section of the CAC for non-EFC related CSS PROFILE data.
If we're preparing the CSS PROFILE Form for you, it's equally necessary. If you're not 100% certain if your student's colleges require the CSS PROFILE Form, go to the CSS PROFILE Form Processing Page right now and you will be able to quickly determine this. Then return to this page.
Checklist Instructions
Here's your first Checklist entry:
- Under EFC Data Record, check off items as you complete them:
When You've Completed the Following...
- Data entry into the CAC
- F-O-W data entry (necessary for ALL students)
- P-O-W data entry (necessary ONLY if a CSS PROFILE Form is required)
- EFC Data Record was emailed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
...you're ready to move onto the first major section of Forms Processing:
The FAFSA Form...