Got SAI of 8273 - still eligible for aid with free lunch status?

ur SAI isnt that low, thats why no pell. but 8273 isnt terrible, my kid had like 15000 and still got decent aid package from state schools. the free lunch thing doesnt 100% translate to fafsa btw

The free lunch program and SNAP have different qualifications than FAFSA. It's confusing but they don't directly correlate. My family qualified for reduced lunch but our SAI was around 7500 and we still didn't get Pell Grants either. So frustrating!!

Your SAI of 8273 means you're above the Pell Grant threshold (which is currently around 6000), but you're still in a good position for other aid types. This is NOT the final determination of your aid package. The SAI is just one factor schools use to determine your final aid package. Many state grants, institutional scholarships, and work-study opportunities are available to students with your SAI range. For the 2025-2026 academic year, an SAI of 8273 would typically qualify for: 1. Federal Direct Loans (the $5K mentioned) 2. Possible state grants depending on your location 3. Institution-specific aid from individual colleges 4. Work-study opportunities The food assistance programs use different calculation methods than FAFSA, which explains the seeming disconnect. Did you correctly report all household members and their college attendance status? That can significantly impact your SAI calculation.

I HATE how the system works!! Our family went through this exact same thing. We qualified for all kinds of assistance programs but then FAFSA said our Expected Family Contribution (now called SAI) was too high for Pell. It's like different government programs can't talk to each other?? MAKES NO SENSE. We eventually had to send an appeal letter to each college with documentation of our SNAP benefits to try to get more aid. Some schools helped, others didn't care at all.

This SAI isn't your final answer on aid. The 8273 number is sent to all schools your daughter listed on her FAFSA. Each school then builds a different financial aid package based on their available funds and policies. Some schools meet 100% of demonstrated need, others only a portion. Here's what you should do next: 1. Wait for aid packages from each school 2. Compare them side by side (some may offer substantial institutional grants) 3. Contact each financial aid office if the packages aren't sufficient 4. Prepare documentation of your special circumstances (SNAP benefits, free lunch qualification) 5. Submit a formal appeal if needed The $5,000 in Federal Direct Loans is standard for first-year undergraduate students. That has nothing to do with your SAI - all dependent first-year students qualify for that amount regardless of financial need.

When I was trying to reach FSA about a similar situation last year (our SAI didn't match our actual financial situation), I kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally used Claimyr to get through to a FAFSA agent in like 15 minutes. They explained exactly how the SAI was calculated and what we could do about it. Saved me so much headache! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

also check if ur state has their own grants. some states have good aid even if u dont get pell. my kid got like $3500 from our state grant program with an SAI around 9000

One more important thing - make sure you're looking at the right aid year. The FAFSA you just completed is for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Pell Grant maximum and eligibility thresholds have been adjusted this year with the new FAFSA simplification, so older information online might not be accurate. An SAI of 8273 means you're above the Pell threshold but still potentially eligible for significant aid at many institutions.

my cousin had almost the same SAI and still got a decent package from her state university!!! don't lose hope!!! some schools have their own grants!!!

After you receive your aid packages, if they're still insufficient, you can submit a professional judgment request (sometimes called a special circumstances form) to each school's financial aid office. Document your SNAP benefits and free lunch status as evidence of financial need that may not be fully captured in the FAFSA. Each school handles these differently, but many will make adjustments that could increase your aid package. Start this process early - aid funds are often distributed on a first-come basis.

Don't give up hope! I went through this exact situation with my son two years ago. SAI of 8500, no Pell Grant, but he ended up with a great aid package. Here's what worked for us: 1) Applied to multiple schools (in-state publics were most generous), 2) Immediately contacted financial aid offices after getting packages to explain our SNAP/free lunch situation, 3) Most importantly - filled out every single scholarship application we could find, both through schools and external organizations. My son ended up with enough aid to cover most of his costs. The SAI is just the starting point, not the end of your story!