FAFSA SAI 21714 - Does this mean only loan eligibility and no grants?

ur SAI is just what the govt thinks u can pay. it doesnt automatically mean loans only but yeah most likely no pell grants w that number. each school does their own thing w financial aid so apply to all 3 and see what they offer. my kid got some merit scholarships even tho our SAI was high

Your SAI (Student Aid Index) is used to determine eligibility for federal need-based aid, but it's not a direct statement about what you must pay. It's a measure of your family's financial strength. With an SAI of 21714, you're correct that Pell Grants are off the table (cutoff is typically around 6000). However, that doesn't mean loans are your only option. Here's what may still be available: 1. Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans - regardless of SAI 2. Parent PLUS loans - credit-based, not SAI-based 3. Work-study - sometimes available even with higher SAIs 4. Institutional grants/scholarships - each college has their own formulas 5. Merit scholarships - completely separate from need-based aid Each school will create its own aid package. Cost of Attendance minus your SAI equals financial need at that institution. More expensive schools might still offer some need-based aid.

hate to burst your bubble but that SAI is gonna hurt. we had 19000 last year and got NOTHING but loans. the whole system is rigged!!! they expect middle class families to just magically come up with 20K+ per year while rich kids get merit scholarships for having private tutors their whole lives and poor kids get full rides. its completely BROKEN.

Your SAI is just one factor in determining your overall financial aid package. With an SAI of 21714, here's what you should understand: - This is what the federal formula calculates your family can contribute annually - Pell Grants are indeed off the table (current eligibility ends around 6206 SAI) - You'll still qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans regardless of SAI - Parent PLUS loans are available based on credit history, not your SAI The most important thing to understand is that each college creates its own aid package. If a school costs $40,000 and your SAI is $21,714, they may offer institutional grants to cover some of that $18,286 gap. Other schools may fill that gap entirely with loans. Also, don't forget about merit scholarships which are completely separate from your FAFSA information. Many middle-income students with high SAIs end up with excellent merit packages.

Has anyone else been completely frustrated trying to call the Federal Student Aid support line to get answers about their SAI? I spent 3 hours on hold last week trying to understand similar questions about our aid eligibility and never got through. So annoying!!!

My daughter is at UMich and we had similar SAI last year. Different schools handled it SO differently. State schools mostly offered just loans, but private colleges gave decent institutional grants to offset their higher costs. One gave us $18k/year despite our "high" SAI because their total cost was like $65k. Check each school's net price calculator with your info for an estimate.

One important thing to remember is that your 21714 SAI doesn't mean you'll pay exactly that amount. Your actual cost could be higher or lower depending on each school's total Cost of Attendance (COA). For example: School A: COA $25,000 - SAI $21,714 = $3,286 in potential need-based aid School B: COA $55,000 - SAI $21,714 = $33,286 in potential need-based aid How each school fills that gap varies dramatically. Some will offer grants/scholarships to cover part of it, others will only offer loans. I recommend calling each school's financial aid office directly once you receive their offers. They often have additional institutional funds they can provide if you explain your situation.

btw one more thing - sometimes if u have a major change in financial situation u can appeal the SAI. my friend lost her job after filing fafsa and they got it reduced. so keep that in mind if anything big changes

I'm in a similar situation with my son - our SAI came back at 22,500 and I was initially panicked thinking we'd only get loans. But after reading through all these responses, I feel much more hopeful! It sounds like the key is really applying to a good mix of schools and comparing their actual aid packages rather than assuming the worst based on the SAI alone. One thing I'm planning to do is create a spreadsheet to track each school's total cost, what aid they offer, and our actual out-of-pocket cost so we can make an informed decision. Has anyone else found that helpful for comparing offers across multiple schools?