FAFSA showing -$1500 SAI when filing as independent non-biological child - what's this mean?

negativ number is good! means she qualifies for more $$ than just tuition. most of the time it goes towards housing n stuff

A negative SAI of -$1500 is actually good news. The Student Aid Index replaced the old EFC and can range from -$1,500 to $999,999. A negative SAI indicates higher financial need, which typically means she'll qualify for maximum Pell Grant eligibility and potentially additional need-based aid. However, I'm concerned about her filing as independent just because you're not her biological parent. The FAFSA has specific requirements for independent status - being 24+ years old, married, veteran, etc. If you've been supporting her financially as her parent figure, she might still need to file as dependent with your information, regardless of biological connection. This could trigger a verification later.

The same thing happened to me last year but with diferent numbers!! I got a -$780 SAI and ended up with full Pell Grant plus some extra scholarship money from my college that I didnt even apply for. They told me negative SAI meant I was high-need so I got prioritized for aid. BUT my finaid office made me verify everything and it was a NIGHTMARE proving I was really independent!!!

To clarify some important points about your situation: 1. The -$1500 SAI is positive news as others mentioned - it indicates high financial need and likely qualifies her for maximum Pell Grant ($7,395 for 2025-2026) and potentially additional institutional aid. 2. However, the independent status concern is significant. FAFSA has specific requirements for independent status: - 24+ years old - Married - Graduate/professional student - Veteran/active duty military - Has legal dependents - Orphan/ward of court/in foster care after age 13 - Emancipated minor or in legal guardianship - Homeless or at risk of homelessness If she doesn't meet one of these criteria, she would technically need to file as dependent, even though you're not her biological parent. This is a common misunderstanding. The relationship between legal guardian and dependent for FAFSA purposes doesn't require biological relationship or formal adoption. If you've been financially supporting her and she lives with you, you would likely be considered her parent for FAFSA purposes.

Since she's already filed, I recommend contacting her school's financial aid office immediately to explain the situation. They may require her to: 1. Submit a correction to her FAFSA 2. Complete a Dependency Override request if there are special circumstances 3. Provide documentation of her living situation Be proactive about this - if selected for verification (which is likely given the independent status), it's better to address this now rather than waiting until aid is delayed. The negative SAI is beneficial, but only if her independent status is ultimately validated.

Mmm dont rush to contact the finaid office yet! If she got the aid she needs let it be? My brother was in similar situation and when he contacted them they made him redo everything and he got LESS money the second time. Sometimes you just get lucky with the system lol

Question: has she been claimed as a dependent on anyone's taxes in the last few years? That's one of the first things they look at during verification. If you've been claiming her, that's going to cause problems with her independent status claim.

I've worked with students in similar situations, and I strongly recommend contacting the financial aid office immediately to explain your situation. It sounds like your daughter may need to complete a Dependency Override Request, which allows financial aid administrators to use professional judgment in special circumstances. I know you're concerned about losing aid if she changes to dependent, but not addressing this could lead to much worse outcomes - including potential aid reversal mid-semester and having to pay everything back if verification uncovers inconsistencies. By the way, if you're having trouble getting through to someone at Federal Student Aid to discuss this specific situation, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you skip the hold times when calling FSA, which can be really helpful for complicated situations like yours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Getting specific guidance directly from FSA about your daughter's situation might provide clarity before approaching her school.

Also! Make sure she knows what other forms her specific school might need!!! My college required the CSS Profile ON TOP of FAFSA even after I already got my aid package and it was this whole confusing mess! Some schools want extra stuff for their institutional aid.

Based on all the discussion here, your next steps should be: 1. Contact your daughter's financial aid office to explain the full situation 2. Ask specifically about the Dependency Override process (this allows exceptions to normal dependency rules) 3. Gather documentation of your support (tax returns showing you claimed her, proof of residence, etc.) 4. Be honest about the misunderstanding regarding independent status While the -$1500 SAI is favorable, maintaining eligibility requires resolving the dependency status question correctly. Most schools have a process for unusual family circumstances like yours, and being proactive will prevent bigger problems down the road.

Just wanted to add - when you do contact the financial aid office, ask them specifically about their "unusual circumstances" or "special conditions" process. Many schools have streamlined procedures for situations like yours where there's been informal guardianship without legal adoption. They deal with this more often than you might think! Also, keep in mind that even if she does need to file as dependent with your income, a -$1500 SAI suggests your household income is quite low, so she'd likely still qualify for significant need-based aid. The key is getting everything documented properly so there are no surprises later in the process.