FAFSA results: Got first aid package with only $740 Pell Grant due to high SAI

Congrats on at least getting ur package! We're still waiting for ANYTHING from 3 different schools. My son applied back in January and radio silence since then except for a few "application complete" emails. Did NJIT email you when the package was ready or did u just keep checking the portal?

$740 for Pell is actually better than nothing. With the current SAI formula, many middle-class families are getting completely shut out. For reference, what was your SAI if you don't mind sharing? This could help others gauge their expectations.

Have you looked into appealing your financial aid package? Sometimes schools have additional institutional funds they can provide, especially if your financial situation has changed since you submitted your FAFSA or if you have competing offers from other colleges. Most schools have a formal appeal process for financial aid reconsideration.

just wanted to say my daughter got her package from rutgers yesterday and it was pretty similar. only got $840 pell grant and thats it. our SAI was like 19K so I guess thats just how it is nowadys. college is just not for middle class kids anymore unless u want 100K+ in debt

I had a similar experience with my son last year, but what really helped was calling the financial aid office directly. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid to explain how our circumstances had changed, but kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally tried this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human at FSA in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo of how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ After getting clarification from FSA, we were able to provide additional documentation to our school's financial aid office, which resulted in an adjusted package with more institutional aid. Might be worth trying!

This whole FAFSA system is a complete disaster. The "simplified" FAFSA has been nothing but problems. First the delays, then the calculation errors, and now these pathetic aid packages! My daughter applied to 7 schools and we've only heard back from 2 so far, both with minimal aid. Meanwhile the May 1 decision deadline is approaching fast! How are families supposed to make informed decisions??

So happy to hear schools are finally releasing packages! We've been in complete limbo. May I ask when you submitted your FAFSA? Trying to figure out if they're processing in any kind of order or if it's just random.

One suggestion for everyone receiving packages now: create a spreadsheet comparing all your offers. Look beyond just the federal aid to understand the total cost of attendance at each school. Some schools with higher sticker prices actually end up being more affordable after institutional scholarships and grants. Also, don't forget to look into outside scholarships. Many local organizations, employers, and national competitions still have application windows open for the 2025-2026 academic year.

UPDATE: Just got an email from Rutgers with their package - slightly better than NJIT! We qualified for their Scarlet Promise Grant of $2,500 on top of the Pell Grant. Still leaves a huge gap, but at least it's something more. Seems like different schools definitely have different approaches to institutional aid even with the same FAFSA information.

Thanks for sharing your experience! This is really helpful for those of us still waiting. I'm curious - when you got the Rutgers package, did they explain what qualified you for the Scarlet Promise Grant? I'm wondering if there are specific criteria beyond just SAI that they consider, like in-state residency or academic merit. My daughter also applied to Rutgers and we have a similar SAI range, so I'm trying to set realistic expectations for when our package arrives.

This whole situation is so stressful! I'm a parent going through this process for the first time and honestly feeling overwhelmed by all the different aid packages and deadlines. Reading everyone's experiences here really helps me understand what to expect. My daughter's SAI came out to $18,900, so sounds like we'll probably be in a similar boat with minimal federal aid. We're still waiting to hear from 5 schools, but at least now I know to look for those institutional grants that seem to vary so much between colleges. Thanks for being so transparent about your numbers - it's hard to find real examples of what families are actually receiving!

As someone new to this community and the FAFSA process, I really appreciate everyone sharing their actual numbers and experiences! My family is just starting to navigate this for my youngest, and seeing real SAI amounts and corresponding aid packages is incredibly helpful. It sounds like the $740 Pell Grant you received aligns with what others are reporting for similar SAI ranges. The difference between NJIT and Rutgers packages really shows how important it is to cast a wide net with applications. Have you considered reaching out to NJIT's financial aid office to see if they have any additional institutional aid programs you might not be aware of? Sometimes schools don't automatically consider students for all available programs. Wishing you and your daughter the best as you wait to hear from the other schools!

Thanks for sharing such detailed information about your packages! As someone who's still waiting to hear from most schools, this gives me a much better sense of what to expect. Our SAI came out to $19,200, so it sounds like we'll probably see similar results. I'm curious - when you called the financial aid offices, did you find certain times of day or days of the week when it was easier to get through? I've been hesitant to call because I keep reading horror stories about 2+ hour wait times, but it sounds like it might be worth the effort, especially for clarifying institutional aid opportunities. Also really appreciate the tip about Rutgers having different institutional aid - we applied there too and I was assuming all NJ state schools would have similar policies. Fingers crossed we hear something soon!

Just wanted to jump in as someone new to this whole process! My daughter is a junior so we're still a year away from submitting FAFSA, but reading through everyone's experiences is both helpful and honestly pretty scary. The fact that your SAI of $21,450 only resulted in $740 Pell Grant really puts things in perspective for what we might be facing. Our family income is probably going to put us in a similar range. I'm definitely taking notes on applying to multiple schools since it sounds like institutional aid varies so much - the difference between your NJIT and Rutgers packages is eye-opening! Also bookmarking that Claimyr service someone mentioned in case we need help getting through to FSA next year. Thanks for being so transparent about the actual numbers - it's hard to find real examples like this anywhere else!

As someone completely new to the FAFSA process, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm helping my nephew navigate this for the first time and honestly had no idea how much the SAI calculation would impact aid eligibility. Your experience with the $740 Pell Grant at that SAI level really helps set realistic expectations. The variation between NJIT and Rutgers packages is fascinating too - it's clear that applying to multiple schools isn't just about academic fit but also about maximizing potential aid opportunities. I'm curious, when you submitted your FAFSA back in January, did you have any sense of what your SAI would be or did that number come as a surprise? Also, have you found any good resources for understanding how schools calculate their institutional aid beyond just the federal formulas? Thanks for sharing such detailed information - it's incredibly valuable for families just starting this journey!