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An SAI of zero or negative indicates a student who needs the most financial aid, relatively speaking. The lowest possible SAI is -$1,500.
A student with a SAI of -$1,500 has a lower ability to pay (and therefore needs more assistance) than a student with a SAI of -$750 or 0 or $750.
A negative SAI does not mean that a student is entitled to more money than the tuition. Total aid cannot exceed tuition. And there is no guarantee that a college will award financial aid up to the amount a student is eligible for. The SAI is simply a measure of need. not the actual cost a student will pay when all is said and done.
Is a high or low Student Aid Index (SAI) better?
A student's SAI indicates his or her relative need for financial aid.
A low SAI indicates a student with lower ability to pay and therefore higher financial need. A zero SAI or a negative SAI of up to -$1,500 is possible. On a relative scale, students with higher financial need are identified as their SAI approaches -$1,500, with -$1,500 indicating the students with the greatest financial need. These students are eligible for the most aid, including the maximum Pell Grants.
Similarly, on a relative scale, students with an SAI above $0 are identified as those who require less financial aid because they have greater personal or family resources to pay tuition fees.
Many colleges use the SAI as an indicator of the amount a student will have to pay for college, so a “good SAI” is usually lower.
How do you find out your SAI score?
You will learn your SAI score once you complete the FAFSA form. You can find it on the Eligibility Overview tab of the MyAid portal for the specific FAFSA year.
However, since the FAFSA form is not available until December 1, many families want to get an estimate of their SAI. You can get an estimate of your SAI by reviewing our SAI chart or using the SAI calculator below.
This SAI calculator has been updated for the 2025 – 2026 FAFSA:
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