Got a 74246 SAI score on my FAFSA - is this good or bad for financial aid?

An SAI of 74246 is on the higher side, unfortunately. Generally speaking, the lower your SAI (Student Aid Index), the more need-based aid you'll qualify for. With that number, you might not be eligible for Pell Grants or other need-based federal aid, but you should still qualify for unsubsidized federal loans regardless of your SAI. Your sister being in college is factored into the SAI calculation, but maybe not as much as you'd hope.

mine was 82000 something last year and i got literally nothing except loans lol. good luck

Your SAI is definitely in a challenging range, but don't panic yet. While 74246 will likely put you out of range for need-based federal aid, here's what you should know: 1. Each college uses the SAI differently - some schools with good endowments might still offer institutional aid even with that SAI 2. You absolutely should submit a Professional Judgment appeal (sometimes called a Special Circumstances form) to your financial aid office explaining the debt situation and having a sibling in college 3. Merit scholarships don't consider your SAI at all - focus your energy there 4. You'll still qualify for unsubsidized federal loans ($5,500-$7,500 depending on your year in school) The SAI is just one piece of the puzzle, not the final answer on what aid you'll receive.

DON'T GIVE UP!!! I had an SAI of 68000 last year and still got $12,000 in institutional grants from my school!!! The FAFSA is just ONE part - apply for EVERYTHING and talk to your financial aid office directly!!! Schools have their OWN money they can give you!!!!

So my dad's a financial aid counselor (24 years) and he always says SAI is just a starting point. Your actual aid package will depend on: 1) Cost of attendance at your specific school 2) The school's own institutional methodology (some schools supplement FAFSA with CSS Profile) 3) Available merit scholarships 4) Your state's grant programs (some have moderate income allowances) My brother had a similar SAI (around 70k) and still got decent aid at his private college, but nothing at the state schools he applied to. Where are you planning to attend?

To provide some context to your SAI of 74246: This places you approximately in the 78th percentile of all FAFSA filers. With this score: - You won't qualify for Pell Grants (cutoff is generally around 6000 SAI) - You likely won't qualify for Subsidized Direct Loans - You will qualify for Unsubsidized Direct Loans ($5,500-$7,500 depending on year) - You will qualify for Parent PLUS loans (if your parents have decent credit) Your best options are: 1. Merit scholarships (GPA/test score based, not need-based) 2. Private colleges with strong institutional aid policies 3. Special circumstances appeal if your family has significant medical bills, debt, or other expenses not captured in the FAFSA If your sister is also in college, that should have already been factored into your SAI calculation, but sometimes the formula doesn't adequately reflect the true financial strain.

@User4 You're absolutely right, and I apologize for the confusion. The FAFSA Simplification Act eliminated the benefit for multiple children enrolled in college simultaneously. Previously, the EFC (now SAI) would be divided by the number of family members in college, but that adjustment was removed from the new formula. This is actually one reason why the original poster's SAI might be higher than expected. This is a significant change that has negatively impacted many families with multiple college students.

I had same prob last year trying 2 reach financial aid office 4 appeal. Spent DAYS trying 2 get thru on phone. Finally used this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a FAFSA rep in like 15 mins. They call and wait in the phone queue 4 u then call u when they reach someone. Saved me hours of frustration. Their site is claimyr.com - they have demo video too https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ if u wanna check before trying. Helped me get my appeal process started way faster.

For the Professional Judgment appeal others mentioned, you'll need to provide documentation of your family's debt situation. This typically includes: 1. A formal letter explaining your special circumstances 2. Documentation of current debt payments (mortgage, auto loans, credit cards, medical bills) 3. Proof of your sister's enrollment at her college 4. Any medical expenses not covered by insurance 5. Recent pay stubs showing current income Each school has their own form and process for these appeals, so contact each financial aid office directly. Some schools call it "Special Circumstances Review" or "Financial Aid Appeal." Don't wait - these should be submitted as soon as possible after receiving your initial aid package.

anyone know if its worth even filling out fafsa if parents make like 120k? seems like waste of time now

My dad (financial aid counselor) says that with your SAI and the colleges you're considering, you're likely looking at: - State University: Probably just federal unsubsidized loans ($5,500-$7,500) and maybe small institutional grants ($2,000-$4,000) - Private Colleges: They might offer $15,000-$25,000 in institutional grants to bring their net price more in line with the state option He also says to make sure you've applied for every outside scholarship you can find. Even small $1,000 scholarships add up quickly. Check with your high school counselor, local community organizations, parents' employers, etc.

This is why the FAFSA is such a broken system... my family makes similar to yours but our SAI came back at 51,000 because my parents have more retirement savings than yours probably do. The formula basically punishes families who save money responsibly and rewards those who spend everything. And don't get me started on how it completely ignores cost of living differences across the country. $95k in rural Kansas is totally different from $95k in California or New York.

@OP Based on everything you've shared, here's your action plan: 1. Wait for official aid packages from all three schools 2. Compare the net costs (not just the aid amounts) 3. Prepare Professional Judgment appeals for all three with documentation 4. Consider the long-term value of each degree program, not just first-year costs 5. Look into Parent PLUS loans as a backup, but be cautious about borrowing 6. Continue applying for private scholarships throughout your college career Remember that financial aid packages can vary significantly between freshman and subsequent years, so think about the 4-year outlook. Some schools front-load grants in the first year to attract students, then reduce them later.

I'm in a similar situation - got an SAI of 68,500 and was initially devastated. But here's what I learned after talking to multiple financial aid offices: your SAI isn't a death sentence for aid, especially at private colleges. The key is understanding that many schools use their own institutional methodology on top of the FAFSA. My advice: Don't just focus on the sticker price when comparing schools. I almost wrote off a private college because of their $55k cost, but they ended up offering me $28k in grants, making it cheaper than my state school option. Also, if your family has significant consumer debt or medical expenses, absolutely pursue that Professional Judgment appeal - some schools are more flexible than others with special circumstances. The elimination of the sibling discount really hurt families like ours, but don't let that discourage you from exploring all your options. Good luck!

Your SAI of 74,246 definitely puts you in a tough spot for need-based federal aid, but don't lose hope! I work as a financial aid advisor and see situations like yours regularly. A few things to keep in mind: The loss of the sibling discount with the new FAFSA really hit families hard - you're right to feel frustrated about that change. However, institutional aid policies vary WIDELY between schools. I've seen students with SAIs in the 70k range get substantial aid packages from private colleges with good endowments. Since you mentioned debt being a factor, document everything for your Professional Judgment appeals: credit card payments, medical debt, any unusual expenses. Some schools are more generous with special circumstances than others. Also consider this: your SAI stays relatively stable year to year (barring major income changes), so whatever aid you receive will likely continue. Don't just look at freshman year costs - think about the full 4-year picture when making your decision. Keep applying for merit scholarships too - those don't care about your SAI at all!