Is 6719 SAI too high for any financial aid? Confused parent needs help

Your SAI of 6719 actually puts you in a decent position for financial aid! The lower your SAI (Student Aid Index), the more need-based aid you qualify for. With that number, your daughter likely qualifies for some Pell Grant money, though not the maximum. Each school has their own formula for institutional aid on top of federal aid. That $22k state university will likely offer a financial aid package that includes grants, work-study, and subsidized loans to cover the gap between your SAI and the cost of attendance. Make sure she completes any supplemental financial aid forms the school requires to maximize her aid package.

SAI is confusing AF! I had a 12000 something last year and still got aid, so don't freak out yet. Each school does their own thing with it

A 6719 SAI is definitely in the financial aid range. To break it down simply: 1. You WILL qualify for some Pell Grant (likely around $3,000-4,000) 2. Your daughter will qualify for subsidized federal loans (better interest rates, no payments while in school) 3. That state university will likely offer institutional grants to help cover costs Your Expected Family Contribution will be less than your SAI number in many cases. With a $65K household income and that SAI, I'd expect your financial aid package to cover at least 50% of that $22K cost through grants and scholarships, with the option for subsidized loans to cover much of the rest. Make sure your daughter also applies for private scholarships and merit aid opportunities!

My cousin had almost the same SAI (like 6800-something) and she still got a decent aid package. Don't stress until you see the actual offer!

EFC (Expected Family Contribution) was the old term before the 2023-2024 changes. SAI (Student Aid Index) replaced it, but they're calculated differently. The SAI can actually be as low as -1500, while EFC couldn't go below zero. This benefits lower-income families. Regarding negotiation - yes! Once you receive your aid package, you can absolutely request a professional judgment review, especially if you have: 1. Any changes in financial situation since you filed taxes 2. Unusual medical expenses 3. Multiple children in college 4. Any unique circumstances affecting your ability to pay Many families successfully get their aid packages adjusted. Be polite, specific about your needs, and provide documentation.

OMG, I'm going through the exact same thing with my son right now!! His SAI came back at 7200 and I've been freaking out for days. The whole process is so confusing. I tried calling the financial aid office at his top school and waited on hold for over an hour before giving up. Did your daughter apply to any private schools too? I've heard sometimes they give better aid packages than state schools even though their sticker price is higher?

After spending WEEKS trying to get through to the financial aid office at my son's school, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach someone at Federal Student Aid to explain what our SAI number actually meant for us. Saved me hours of frustration and hold music! Check out their video demo (https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) - they got me connected to an actual person in minutes who could explain everything about our aid eligibility. For what it's worth, our SAI was higher than yours (8200) and we still qualified for decent aid.

One important thing to understand about your SAI (6719) is that it doesn't necessarily mean you'll pay that exact amount out of pocket. The final amount you'll pay depends on: 1. The cost of attendance at your daughter's school 2. Federal aid (Pell Grants, SEOG, etc.) 3. State grants (many states have programs based on need) 4. Institutional aid from the university itself With a $22k cost of attendance and your SAI, there's a gap of about $15k that could be filled with various forms of aid. Make sure your daughter accepts her aid package by the deadline and completes any verification if required. About 30% of FAFSA filers get selected for verification, which can delay processing.

California has excellent state aid programs! Your daughter would likely qualify for Cal Grants with your income level and SAI. Cal Grants can provide up to $12,570 per year at UC schools and around $5,700 at CSU schools. Combined with Pell Grants, work-study, and institutional aid, she could have a very manageable cost. As for timing, most schools send financial aid packages shortly after acceptance letters, but some wait until April-May. If she hasn't received anything yet, I'd recommend contacting the financial aid office directly. You can also check the student portal as sometimes aid packages are uploaded there without notification.

Don't forget to look into the California Middle Class Scholarship too! It's specifically for families making under $201k with assets under $201k, and can cover up to 40% of tuition and fees at UC/CSU schools AFTER other aid is applied. With your income around $65k and that SAI, your daughter would likely qualify. My son is at Cal State Fullerton and got $3,800 from this program alone, on top of his Cal Grant and federal aid. The best part is you don't need a separate application - eligibility is determined automatically through your FAFSA/California Dream Act Application.

Hey James! I'm a newcomer here but wanted to chime in since I just went through this exact same situation with my daughter last year. Her SAI was 6,850 (super close to yours!) and I was panicking thinking we'd get zero aid. Turns out I was completely wrong - she ended up with a fantastic aid package that made her state school very affordable. The key thing that helped me was understanding that SAI is just the starting point for calculations, not what you actually pay. With your $65k income, you're definitely in the sweet spot for need-based aid. My daughter qualified for about $4,200 in Pell Grant money, plus our state had additional grants, and her university threw in institutional aid too. One tip that really helped us - when you do get that financial aid package, don't be afraid to ask questions if something doesn't make sense. The financial aid officers are actually pretty helpful once you get past the phone tree nightmare. Your daughter is going to be just fine financially for college!