Student Aid Index (SAI): How Colleges Calculate Your Financial Need in 2026
- U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, "FAFSA Simplification" (studentaid.gov) - retrieved August 14, 2026
- Federal Student Aid, "2024-25 Draft SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide" (Knowledge Center) - retrieved August 14, 2026
- Eastern Oregon University, "FAFSA Simplification 2024-25"; University of Florida Student Financial Aid; Cal State LA Financial Aid - retrieved August 14, 2026
All figures are estimates based on publicly available data. Use the linked calculators to model your own situation.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?▼
The SAI is the number used to measure a family's ability to pay for college. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is used with the cost of attendance to calculate financial need: COA minus SAI equals financial need.
When did the SAI replace the EFC?▼
The SAI took effect beginning with the 2024-25 award year, under the FAFSA Simplification Act enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Can the SAI be negative?▼
Yes. Unlike the old EFC, which could not go below zero, the SAI can range from -$1,500 to $999,999. A negative SAI indicates very high financial need.
How does the SAI affect families with multiple kids in college?▼
The number of family members in college is no longer part of the formula. Each student gets their own SAI based on the same household finances, without the old divisor that previously lowered the contribution when several children were enrolled at once.
Is the SAI the amount I have to pay?▼
No. The SAI is an index used to calculate financial need, not a bill. Your actual cost depends on each school's cost of attendance, its aid policies, and the aid you are awarded.