Aid for most financial aid programs is awarded on the basis of financial need. When a student applies for financial aid, the information reported on the FAFSA is used in a formula established by the U.S. Congress. This formula determines the student's and/or family's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an amount the student and family are expected to contribute toward educational expenses. If the EFC is below a certain amount, the student will be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, assuming he/she meets other eligibility requirements.

There is not a maximum EFC that defines eligibility for financial aid programs. Instead, the student's EFC is used in an equation to determine financial need:

Macomb Community College calculates the student's cost of attendance, based on average costs for all students, then subtracts the amount the student and/or family are expected to contribute toward that cost. The resulting figure is the student's financial need. In determining the student's need for aid, the Financial Aid office must first consider other aid and outside resources the student is expected to receive.

Macomb Community College uses professional judgment to review a student’s financial aid application due to extenuating circumstances that may change the family’s (student’s) ability to pay for college. This authority has been granted to financial aid offices through the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, as amended.

The student or family may experience a change in financial circumstances. The student/family can file a Special Condition Appeal form if there are financial circumstances that warrant re-evaluation of the student’s eligibility, based on the specific categories on the appeal form.

Other areas of professional judgment can include, but are not limited to, changes in dependency status and budget adjustments, based on certain circumstances. The financial aid office will request documentation from the student and other parties, as appropriate, to substantiate the extenuating circumstances of the student or family.