Huge SAI score jump from -1500 to 25,000 with same AGI - FAFSA calculation error?

There are a few possibilities here: 1. The new FAFSA formula for 2024-2025 is completely different from previous years. The SAI replaced the old EFC, and the calculation methodology changed significantly. 2. Check if you accidentally entered something wrong on your application. One misplaced decimal or extra zero can dramatically affect your SAI. 3. Family size changes or changes in the number of college students in your household can impact the SAI calculation too. 4. Did you have any significant changes in assets reported? Even if income stayed the same, different asset reporting could change your SAI.

my frend had samething happen lol. turned out she put her dads incom in the wrong spot and it counted twice. might wanan check ur form again

The new FAFSA is a DISASTER this year!!! My daughter's SAI went from 3500 to 19300 with NO CHANGES to our financials either. We're middle class and now she won't qualify for anything. The Department of Education changed the formula to PUNISH families trying to send kids to college!!! 😡😡

You need to file a correction to your FAFSA. Go to studentaid.gov, log in, and click "Make FAFSA Corrections." If the data is truly identical to last year, there might be a calculation error.

I work in a financial aid office, and we're seeing many students with significantly different SAIs this year. The formula changes are substantial: 1. The income protection allowance decreased for many family types 2. The asset protection allowance was virtually eliminated 3. Multiple children in college doesn't reduce SAI as much as it used to 4. Some tax-deferred income is now counted differently You should contact your school's financial aid office ASAP to request a professional judgment review. They can adjust your aid package if they determine the formula is creating an undue hardship in your case. Bring documentation showing your financial situation is unchanged.

For a professional judgment review, typically bring: 1. Last 2 years of tax returns to show consistency 2. Recent pay stubs showing current income 3. Documentation of any special circumstances 4. A written statement explaining your situation Each school handles these differently, but having this documentation ready will help. Be prepared to explain why your financial need hasn't changed despite the new SAI calculation.

I spent TWO HOURS on hold with Federal Student Aid yesterday trying to get answers about my daughter's weird SAI calculation. Finally gave up after being disconnected. Does anyone know if there's a better way to reach them? The 1-800-4-FED-AID number is completely useless.

Has anyone successfully had their SAI recalculated after finding an actual error in the FAFSA system? I'm still convinced this is more than just formula changes - a $26,500 jump with identical inputs seems like a glitch.

One other thing to check - did you file as a dependent last year and independent this year, or vice versa? That would cause a massive SAI change. Also, if you have any untaxed income that wasn't reported last year but was this year, that could contribute to the difference.

my brothers sai went up like crazy too and he got way less aid. the new fafsa is totally broken lol

Just to follow up - I've now seen multiple cases at our financial aid office where the 2024-2025 FAFSA calculation is technically correct but results in dramatically different SAIs. The Department of Education has acknowledged these issues but hasn't offered systematic corrections. Your best approach is definitely to work directly with your school's financial aid office through their professional judgment process. They have some discretion to adjust your aid package based on your specific circumstances, even if the FAFSA calculation is technically following the new formula correctly.

This is such a relief to hear! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my SAI jumped from 2,800 to 18,500 with nearly identical financial information. I was starting to panic thinking I'd made some huge mistake on my FAFSA. Your update gives me hope that the professional judgment process might work. I'm going to contact my school's financial aid office tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your experience - it's really helpful to know others are going through this too and that there might be a solution!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm in almost the exact same boat! My SAI went from -800 last year to 22,000 this year with literally no changes to our family's financial situation. My mom makes the same salary, we have the same modest savings, and I'm still the only kid in college. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the new FAFSA formula is just brutal for families like ours. I had no idea about the asset protection changes and income protection decreases that Isabella mentioned. That explains so much! I'm definitely going to follow Alexis's lead and contact my school's financial aid office for a professional judgment review. Has anyone had luck with appeals at state schools versus private colleges? I'm wondering if one type is more flexible with these situations. Also, thanks to Max for mentioning Claimyr - I've been dreading calling the FSA hotline but that service sounds like a lifesaver if I need to go that route too.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress, especially with your deadline coming up so soon! As someone who went through a similar SAI shock this year, I completely understand the panic. One thing that helped me was creating a simple comparison document showing my previous year's FAFSA data side-by-side with this year's to bring to my financial aid office. It made it really clear that nothing had changed on our end, which seemed to help them understand the situation faster. Also, don't wait until the last minute to reach out - financial aid offices are swamped right now with similar cases, so the earlier you can get in their queue for a professional judgment review, the better. Some schools are even proactively reviewing cases where they see these dramatic SAI increases. Hang in there - from what I'm reading in this thread, schools seem to be understanding about these formula issues and many are willing to work with students. You've got this!