Deciphering Financial Aid Acronyms

I have just encountered an abundance of acronyms in learning about financial aid for college. Which ones do I really have to know? -- Applying for Aid
Answer: It is smart to become acquainted with financial-aid acronyms before seriously embarking on obtaining financial aid. Here are four you must know:
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The cost of attendance is not the bill that you may get from your college; it is the total amount it will cost you to go to college each year. The COA includes tuition and fees, on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students) and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees and, if applicable, dependent care. It can also include other expenses, from personal computer costs to overseas study programs.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the number that's used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. The EFC is not the amount of money that your family must provide. Rather, you should think of the EFC as an index that colleges use to determine how much financial aid you would receive if you were to attend their school.
An estimated EFC is calculated using the data you submit on the FAFSA4caster.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is the government form that must be completed to determine a student's eligibility for federal aid and to apply for college and state need-based financial aid.
Student Aid Report (SAR)
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) summarizes the information you submit on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provides you with your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
You can find explanations of more acronyms at many college Web sites such as Northern Michigan University and Lake Forest College, as well as Web sites such as www.finaid.org/questions/glossary.phtml.