A zero or adverse SAI signifies a scholar with essentially the most relative want for monetary support. The bottom SAI potential is -$1,500.
A scholar with a -$1,500 SAI has much less capability to pay (and due to this fact wants extra support) than a scholar with an SAI of -$750 or zero or $750.
A adverse SAI doesn’t imply {that a} scholar will qualify for extra money than the price of attendance. Whole support can not exceed the price of attendance. And there’s no assure {that a} faculty will supply monetary support as much as the quantity for which a scholar is eligible. The SAI is only a measure of want, not the precise value a scholar pays when all is claimed and carried out.
Is It Higher To Have A Excessive Or Low Scholar Assist Index (SAI)?
A scholar’s SAI signifies their relative want for monetary support.
A low SAI signifies a scholar with much less capability to pay and due to this fact extra monetary want. It’s potential to have a zero or a adverse 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 support together with most Pell grants.
Likewise, on a relative scale, college students with SAIs which might be larger than $zero are recognized as these needing much less monetary support given their larger private or household assets to pay the faculty invoice.
Many schools use the SAI as a proxy for the quantity they anticipate a scholar to pay for faculty. As such, a “good SAI” is often decrease.
How To Know Your SAI Rating?
One can find your SAI rating when you full the FAFSA. It is going to be situated on the “Eligibility Overview” tab of the MyAid portal for the precise FAFSA yr.
Nonetheless, because the FAFSA is not going to be reside 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 beneath.
This SAI calculator has been up to date for the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA:
