Financial need is the amount of money you need to attend college after the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is subtracted for the Estimated Cost of Attendance.
The amount of money you and your family can reasonably be expected to use toward paying for a college education. The EFC is determined by a formula established by Congress and is used by the Office of Financial Aid to establish your degree of financial need for Federal financial aid (except for Federal Direct Unsubsidized or PLUS loans). If you are an independent student, you may be expected to use a portion of your (and your spouse's, if married) income, other benefits and assets to finance your education. If you are a dependent student, you may not only be expected to use a portion of your income, other benefits and assets to finance your education, but may also be expected to receive financial help from your parents.
Tuition and costs applicable to you, together with each individual school's estimate of other expenses related to college attendance. Factors affecting your cost of attendance include whether or not you live with your parents, if you are an independent student and whether or not you have dependent care expenses. You may visit the Estimated Cost of Attendance page for more specific information.
How is the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated?
Tuition and costs applicable to you, together with each individual school's estimate of other expenses related to college attendance. Factors affecting your cost of attendance include whether or not you live with your parents, whether you are an independent student, and whether or not you have dependent care expenses. You may visit the Estimated Cost of Attendance page for more specific information.
Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated using the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
The calculation uses certain information from your tax return as well as the net worth of your assets.
Most of the tax information used to calculate the SAI is transferred directly from the IRS* into the FAFSA form if you provide your consent and approval.
*Some FAFSA applicants may need to manually provide their tax information. Learn more about where to find tax information.
Learn more about which federal benefits are included.
SAI Formula for a Dependent Student:
Parents’ Contribution from Income + Parents’ Contribution from Assets + Student’s Contribution from Income + Student’s Contribution from Assets
SAI Formula for an Independent Student:
Student’s Contribution from Income + Student’s Contribution from Assets
Your SAI will be listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary.
