Student Financial Aid Profiles
Making it work for your family
The Financial Aid Office at Bentley works with all students and families to help them understand our financial aid programs, and assists them in finding ways to pay college costs. Our goal is to make a Bentley education financially possible for all qualified students.
| The average Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) for a current freshman receiving need-based grant funds is $17,600. |
Derek lives in Massachusetts with his parents and a brother who is a high school sophomore. His mother is a teacher and his father is a mechanic. They earned a total of $106,000 in 2008, including $7,000 in non-taxable contributions to their retirement plans. His parents have $25,000 in savings and $100,000 in home equity.
Derek's Estimated Family Contribution is $17,600. He qualifies for a financial aid package that includes $5,500 in self-help (a combination of federal loans and work study) and $25,385 in Bentley grants and scholarships.
| A private college education can be affordable for most families. In many cases, a family’s out-of-pocket costs for public and private colleges may be similar. |
Rosalie is from upstate New York and lives with her parents and younger sister. Her mother is a nurse, her father a hospitality director at a resort. Their family income in 2008, including non-taxable retirement contributions, was $148,000. The family has $4,500 in savings and investments, and $111,000 in equity in their home.
Rosalie's Estimated Family Contribution for the year is $28,800. Her financial aid package includes self-help of $5,500 (a combination of federal loans and work study), and $14,185 in Bentley grants and scholarships.
| Approximately fifty percent of families of Bentley grant and scholarship recipients demonstrating financial need have annual family incomes of $80,000 or more. |
Anna lives with her parents and two brothers in New Jersey. Her father is a town administrator and her mother is a legal assistant. Their total family income in 2008 was $96,000. The family has $5,000 in savings and $200,000 in equity in their home.
Anna's Estimated Family Contribution, with two family members in college, is $16,435. Her financial aid package includes self help of $7,500 and $24,550 in Bentley Grants.
NOTE: The sample financial aid packages illustrated are meant to describe the various situations under which students receive financial aid. Many factors are considered when determining eligibility for need-based aid. Although the cases presented here are actual financial aid applicants, personal information was changed to conceal the identity of each student.
