A zero or unfavourable SAI signifies a pupil with essentially the most relative want for monetary assist. The bottom SAI potential is -$1,500.
A pupil with a -$1,500 SAI has much less capability to pay (and subsequently wants extra assist) than a pupil with an SAI of -$750 or 0 or $750.
A unfavourable SAI doesn’t imply {that a} pupil will qualify for extra money than the price of attendance. Complete assist can’t exceed the price of attendance. And there’s no assure {that a} school will provide monetary assist as much as the quantity for which a pupil is eligible. The SAI is only a measure of want, not the precise price a pupil can pay when all is claimed and finished.
Is It Higher To Have A Excessive Or Low Pupil Assist Index (SAI)?
A pupil’s SAI signifies their relative want for monetary assist.Â
A low SAI signifies a pupil with much less capability to pay and subsequently extra monetary want. It’s potential to have a zero or a unfavourable SAI as little as -$1,500. On a relative scale, college students with larger monetary want are recognized as their SAI approaches -$1,500, with -$1,500 indicating the scholars with the best monetary want. These college students are eligible for essentially the most assist together with most Pell grants.Â
Likewise, on a relative scale, college students with SAIs which can be larger than $0 are recognized as these needing much less monetary assist given their larger private or household sources to pay the school invoice.Â
Many schools use the SAI as a proxy for the quantity they anticipate a pupil to pay for school. As such, a “good SAI” is usually decrease.
How To Know Your SAI Rating?
One can find your SAI rating when you full the FAFSA. It will likely be positioned on the “Eligibility Overview” tab of the MyAid portal for the particular FAFSA 12 months.
Nevertheless, because the FAFSA is not going to be dwell till December 1, many households need to know an estimate of their SAI. You may get an estimate of your SAI by checking our SAI Chart, or utilizing the SAI Calculator under.
This SAI calculator has been up to date for the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA:
