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This financial aid calculator helps you understand your financial aid eligibility by calculating your Student Aid Index (SAI). Your eligibility for financial assistance depends on many factors, including:
Your The SAI is calculated based on the information you and your family provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some colleges rely on the CSS Profile instead of the FAFSA to determine eligibility, although these are primarily private colleges.
This calculator will help you determine your financial aid eligibility for the 2025-2026 school year using the most current SAI and FAFSA calculations.
Related: Financial aid and subsidies from the state
Financial Aid Calculator
Enter your information below to calculate your estimated financial aid eligibility. The process should take less than 10 minutes.
How to use this calculator
Source: The College Investor
This calculator will help you calculate your SAI, which is used by most financial aid offices to determine eligibility.
Financial assistance comes in many forms, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. Your SAI is an indicator of your financial needs.
The lower the SAI, the greater your family's financial needs. A negative SAI is the “most needy” group of students.
How is the SAI determined?
Your SAI is determined through calculations based on the numbers reported on your FAFSA. The higher the reported income or assets, the higher the SAI number. Therefore, financial support for a “good” SAI is low.
How is financial need determined?
Financial need is typically determined by deducting the cost of attendance from your SAI. The result is your financial needs.
COA – SAI = financial requirements
It is important to note that there is no requirement that colleges “meet” your financial needs through any type of financial aid. This is why so many students and families take out student loans to cover their costs.
How do you fill out the FAFSA?
You fill out the FAFSA on StudentAid.gov. Here are complete instructions for completing the FAFSA.
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