Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is a formula-based index number ranging from –1500 to 999999. Where your SAI falls within the SAI range helps your school determine how much financial support you may need.
A negative SAI indicates you have a higher financial need. For example, if you have an SAI of –1500, you’ll qualify for a maximum Pell Grant award assuming you have not exhausted your lifetime amounts and meet all student eligibility requirements. Learn how the SAI is calculated.
- a dollar amount of aid you’ll receive,
- what your family is expected to provide, or
- your final financial aid offer.
Your SAI is an index number used by financial aid professionals when creating an aid offer. Your SAI is calculated using information that you (and other contributors, if required) provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
During your aid process, you will see the following:
- an estimated SAI on the confirmation page of your FAFSA form
- an official SAI within your FAFSA Submission Summary (after your FAFSA form is processed)
- Log in to StudentAid.gov using your account username and password.
- Select your processed FAFSA submission.
- Select “View FAFSA Submission Summary.”
- Select the “Eligibility Overview” tab.