EFC/SAI Calculator
Estimate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Student Aid Index (SAI) for FAFSA financial aid planning. Uses a simplified version of the official 2026-27 methodology — results are estimates, not your official FAFSA outcome.
Enter Your Family Financials
Contribution Breakdown
Planning tip: Your financial need = college cost of attendance − SAI. A lower SAI means more need-based aid. Lowering reportable assets (e.g., spending down savings) has a small effect — 12% of assets — while income drives most of the result.
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- Weighted GPA calculator (AP & honors) — your GPA drives merit aid, which lowers your expected family contribution
How It Works
This calculator applies a simplified version of the 2026-27 SAI formula: (1) total parent income minus an Income Protection Allowance based on family size, (2) 47% of remaining income becomes the contribution from income, (3) assets minus an Asset Protection Allowance based on the older parent's age, with 12% of remaining assets becoming the contribution from assets, and (4) the combined contribution divided by the number of children in college.
The result — the Student Aid Index — is what the FAFSA uses to determine your financial need (cost of attendance minus SAI) and eligibility for need-based aid like the Pell Grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EFC and SAI?▼
EFC (Expected Family Contribution) was the old FAFSA metric, replaced in 2024-25 by the SAI (Student Aid Index). Both estimate what a family can contribute to college costs, but the SAI uses a different formula with a flat 47% income contribution rate and allows negative values (down to -$1,500) for the lowest-income families.
What inputs does this EFC/SAI calculator need?▼
It needs parent income (AGI plus untaxed income), parent assets, family size, number of children in college, and the older parent's age. It uses simplified income and asset protection allowances that approximate the official FAFSA tables.
Is this the same as my official FAFSA result?▼
No. This is an estimate using a simplified methodology. Your official SAI is calculated by the Department of Education with your full FAFSA data, including untaxed income details, business/farm assets, and state-specific factors. Use this tool for early planning only.
What does a negative SAI mean?▼
The SAI can be as low as -$1,500 for families with very low income and assets. A negative SAI signals maximum financial need, which typically qualifies students for the maximum Federal Pell Grant and the most institutional need-based aid.