This book provides information to the student financial aid community about the calculation of a student's expected family contribution (EFC). An introduction which uses a question-and-answer format gives background information and guidance for using the proper formula to calculate a student's EFC. The following section provides narrative descriptions of the formulas: for a dependent student, for an independent student without dependents other than a spouse, and for an independent student with dependents other than a spouse. The third section presents the worksheets and tables needed for calculating the EFC for all three formulas. The fourth section presents sample case studies with completed forms for each formula. (DB)