What is the Federal Methodology (FM)?
The Federal Methodology (FM) is a need analysis formula used by the federal government. Based on the information captured on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the FM is used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, as well as for institutional aid at some colleges. Use the EFC Calculator to estimate your expected family contribution using the FM formula.
The Federal Methodology (FM) is a need analysis formula used by the federal government. Based on the information captured on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the FM is used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid, as well as for institutional aid at some colleges. Use our online EFC Calculator to estimate your expected family contribution using the FM formula.
The Federal Methodology, or FM, is the formula the government uses to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to their child s college education. As a result, it s a key factor in determining whether your son or daughter will qualify to receive financial aid from the government. Some colleges and universities use a different formula to determine how they dole out funds of their own. Such a formula is called an Institutional Methodology (IM), and can vary from one campus to the next.