Different SAI scores for siblings in FAFSA 2024-2025 - will they only qualify for loans?

The new FAFSA actually DOES calculate different SAI scores for siblings in college! It's part of the FAFSA Simplification Act changes. Previously, having multiple kids in college was a big advantage because the EFC was divided. Now, each student gets their own SAI calculation that considers their portion of family contribution. The small difference between your kids' scores (5738 vs 5483) could be due to: - Different student income/assets between siblings - Age factors in the calculation - The "estimated" vs "official" status (one might change) With SAIs in the 5400-5700 range, your children will likely not qualify for Pell Grants (typically for SAIs under 3000), but institutional aid varies WIDELY by school. Some private colleges use their own formulas and might still offer substantial grants. Don't assume it's just loans until you see the actual aid packages!

tbh the whole system is broken now. my brother and i have SAIs that are like $2000 different even tho we're both dependents with the same parents. makes NO sense. the financial aid ppl at my school said its bcuz the formula now treats each kid separately instead of dividing the family contribution. so stupid.

Your SAI numbers (5738 and 5483) likely won't qualify for federal Pell Grants, which typically go to students with SAIs under 3500 for the 2024-2025 year. However, don't despair about just getting loans! Many schools have institutional grants and scholarships with higher cutoffs than federal programs. The difference between your kids' SAIs is normal under the new system. Each student now receives their own Student Aid Index that's calculated individually rather than simply dividing the family contribution. Factors that create differences include: 1. Student income (if either child had any earnings) 2. Student assets (if either has their own accounts) 3. Age differences affecting the calculations 4. Different dependency questions answered This is one of the most confusing aspects of the new FAFSA. I recommend contacting the financial aid offices at their specific schools to understand how they'll interpret these SAIs for institutional aid.

Has anyone else noticed that the estimated SAI sometimes changes when they process the official one? My daughter's estimated was about $600 lower than what they finally calculated as her official SAI. So your son's might end up closer to your daughter's when they finish processing it. The whole system is INCREDIBLY frustrating this year!!!

Im in a similar boat with twins starting college this fall!! Both have different SAI numbers ($4762 and $5108) which makes ZERO sense to me because they live in the same house with the same parents and neither has any income or assets!!! The financial aid office just keeps saying "thats how the system works now" which is SO unhelpful!! 😡

If you need to contact FSA about these confusing SAI differences, try using Claimyr.com - it helped me get through to an actual FAFSA agent in under 15 minutes last week when I had issues with my verification process. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent explained to me that yes, siblings now get different SAI calculations even with identical family financial info. It's not a glitch - it's the new system design. Absolutely ridiculous but at least I got a clear answer instead of waiting for emails that never come.

To answer your question about loans vs grants more specifically: With SAIs in the 5400-5700 range, your children will likely not qualify for federal Pell Grants. However, they should still qualify for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (the subsidized loans are better because the government pays the interest while in school). BUT - and this is important - many colleges have their own grant/scholarship cutoffs that are much higher than the federal Pell Grant limit. Some private institutions especially may offer significant institutional grants even with your SAI. Each school has their own formula for converting the SAI into their internal need calculation. Wait for the official aid packages before assuming it's just loans. You might be pleasantly surprised by what some schools offer!

My kids had different SAIs too. Older one was higher by about $800. Called FAFSA and the rep said its because my younger kid answered one of the dependency questions differently plus had slightly less income from her summer job. The small differences can add up! BUT most schools still take into account having multiple kids in college even if FAFSA doesn't anymore. Check with each school's financial aid office.

Everyone talking about SAI differences is right - it's the new normal with the FAFSA Simplification Act. But here's something else to consider: appeal your financial aid offers when you get them! Schools have significant discretion with their institutional aid, and having two in college simultaneously is absolutely a valid reason for requesting additional consideration. When you get your aid packages, immediately contact each financial aid office and ask about their "Professional Judgment" or "Special Circumstances" appeal process. Many schools are well aware that the new FAFSA formula disadvantages families with multiple students and have created their own adjustments to compensate. Don't just accept the initial offers - especially for your freshman son who might receive better packages to entice him to attend.

I'm going through the exact same confusion with my two kids! Just want to echo what others have said about not giving up hope on grants. My older daughter had an SAI around 5800 last year and still received about $8,000 in institutional grants from her private college. Each school really does have their own formula. One thing I learned is to make sure you're comparing apples to apples when looking at your kids' different SAIs. Check if they answered all the dependency questions identically - things like selective service registration, drug convictions, etc. Even small differences in how they interpreted questions can affect the calculation. Also, don't forget about state grants! Some states have higher income cutoffs than federal programs. With your SAI range, you might still qualify for state aid depending on where you live. Worth checking your state's financial aid website. The new system definitely feels like a step backward for families like ours with multiple kids in college, but there are still paths to aid beyond just loans. Hang in there!