When you fill out the FAFSA, at the end of the process you are given a number*.  This is the amount of money your family is expected to contribute to your college education costs.

The new development is an automatic 0 for your EFC in certain circumstances.

First, the income threshhold for a 0 has been raised to 150% of the poverty line, or $30,000 (this is up from 100% of the poverty line).  This is great because it means more people will qualify for low-interest federal aid.

Secondly, anyone considered a dislocated worker will also get an automatic 0.  Dislocated workers are people displaced by natura disasters.  For example, anyone i n a city destroyed by a hurricane will get an automatic 0 EFC meaning they will qualify for more aid.

*If for some reason you are interested in this formula, it is available within the Department of Education’s website, though I don’t have the exact web address.  The Dept. of Ed is located at http://www.ed.gov