What Does A Adverse SAI Imply?

A zero or unfavourable SAI signifies a scholar with probably the most relative want for monetary assist. The bottom SAI attainable is -$1,500.

A scholar with a -$1,500 SAI has much less capability to pay (and subsequently wants extra assist) than a scholar with an SAI of -$750 or 0 or $750.

A unfavourable SAI doesn’t imply {that a} scholar will qualify for more cash than the value of attendance. Complete assist can not exceed the price of attendance. And there’s no assure {that a} school will supply monetary assist 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 alleged and executed.

Is It Higher To Have A Excessive Or Low Pupil Support Index (SAI)?

A scholar’s SAI signifies their relative want for monetary assist. 

A low SAI signifies a scholar with much less capability to pay and subsequently extra monetary want. It’s attainable to have a zero or a unfavourable SAI as little as -$1,500. On a relative scale, college students with higher 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 probably the most assist together with most Pell grants. 

Likewise, on a relative scale, college students with SAIs which are higher than $0 are recognized as these needing much less monetary assist given their higher private or household sources to pay the school invoice. 

Many faculties use the SAI as a proxy for the quantity they count on a scholar to pay for faculty. As such, a “good SAI” is often decrease.

How To Know Your SAI Rating?

You will discover 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 yr.

Nonetheless, for the reason that 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 under.

This SAI calculator has been up to date for the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA: