FAFSA SAI of 11158 - Will my daughter qualify for any aid? Can't find clear answers

SAI is just a number lol nobody can tell u what aid she'll get until the schools send their offer letters. Its different at every schools

Your SAI of 11,158 is actually in a pretty reasonable range. The SAI doesn't directly tell you what aid you'll receive - it's a number schools use to determine your family's financial strength. With a COA (Cost of Attendance) of $27,000 and an SAI of 11,158, your daughter would have a demonstrated need of about $15,842. This level of need would typically qualify her for some need-based aid, possibly including: - Subsidized federal loans - Some institutional grants/scholarships (varies by school) - Possibly work-study She likely won't qualify for Pell Grants, which typically go to students with SAIs under 6,656 for the 2025-2026 year. Each school will package aid differently based on their available funds and priorities. The good news is that $11K is low enough that most schools will offer some assistance.

Don't get your hopes up!!! My son had an SAI of 9200 last year and still ended up with ZERO grants at his state school. Just a bunch of loans they expect us to take out. The whole system is BROKEN and designed to put families in debt. They'll claim you can afford way more than you actually can!!!

With an SAI of 11,158 and a COA of $27,000, your daughter has a demonstrated need of approximately $15,842. While each institution handles financial aid differently, here's what you can typically expect: 1. Federal Direct Loans: She should qualify for the full $5,500 first-year amount, with a portion being subsidized (no interest while in school) 2. Institutional Aid: Most colleges will attempt to meet a percentage of the remaining need through grants and scholarships 3. Pell Grant: Unfortunately, with that SAI, she won't qualify for Pell (cutoff is around 6,656 for 2025-2026) Something important to understand is the concept of "gapping" - many schools don't meet 100% of demonstrated need. A school might cover 70-80% of that $15,842, leaving a gap you'd need to fill with additional resources. I'd recommend using each school's net price calculator for a more specific estimate. They're usually available on the financial aid section of college websites.

I was in a similar situation last year with my son's FAFSA. Had an SAI around 10,500 and was totally confused about what it meant. Spent weeks trying to get through to someone at Federal Student Aid to explain it to me - constant busy signals and disconnects. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual FSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. The agent walked me through exactly what our SAI meant for different types of aid. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The FSA person explained that for us, the SAI meant we'd probably get some subsidized loans and maybe institutional grants depending on the school. Turned out to be accurate - my son got about $17,000 in aid at a school that cost $31,000, including $9,500 in grants.

ur not gonna get a penny from anyone with that SAI lmao they expect u to pay full freight good luck with that

My daughter had an SAI of about 12000 last year and we were worried too! But she ended up getting a decent aid package. Between subsidized loans, work study, and some grants from her school, we only had to pay about $14k out of pocket for a $29k school. Every school is different though - she got WAY more from her private college than from the state university she also applied to. Don't give up hope!

One important factor that hasn't been mentioned yet is that your daughter should also apply for outside scholarships. With an SAI of 11,158, she's in that middle range where additional scholarships can make a significant difference. Local community organizations, employers, and industry groups often have scholarships with less competition than national ones. Also, keep in mind that different schools treat the SAI differently in their aid formulas. Some institutions are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need, while others might meet only 60-70%. Private colleges sometimes have more institutional aid available than public universities, despite their higher sticker prices. Finally, consider reaching out directly to financial aid offices at her top choice schools. They can often provide estimates based on your specific situation before you receive official aid packages.

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! I'm feeling much more informed now. I'm going to: 1. Try using that Claimyr service to speak with an FSA representative for official guidance 2. Contact financial aid offices at her top schools for preliminary estimates 3. Look into both public and private options since aid can vary significantly 4. Start applying for outside scholarships 5. Prepare documentation for a possible appeal if we have special circumstances It's reassuring to hear that an SAI of 11,158 doesn't automatically mean no aid. I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!

You're taking all the right steps! One additional tip - when you contact those financial aid offices, ask specifically about their "professional judgment" process. As a single parent, if you have any documentation showing your financial situation is more challenging than what appears on the FAFSA (like high living costs in your area, recent job changes, or unreimbursed expenses), many schools can make adjustments that could improve your aid package. Also, don't forget to complete the CSS Profile if any of her schools require it - some private colleges use that for additional institutional aid beyond what the FAFSA determines. Best of luck to your daughter!