Is a 4115 SAI score too high for any FAFSA aid? Worried about college costs

pretty sure anything above 0 means ur not gettin a Pell Grant. my SAI was like 6700 and all i got was loans...

my friend had a 3900 SAI and still got some aid!!! dont worry too much yet!!! depends on the school

An SAI of 4115 puts you in a middle range. While you likely won't qualify for Federal Pell Grants (which typically require an SAI below 3000 for the 2025-2026 aid year), you may still be eligible for several types of aid: 1. Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans - guaranteed regardless of SAI 2. Work-Study - often available for SAIs in your range 3. State grants - many states offer grants for students with SAIs under 5000 4. Institutional aid - many colleges offer their own grants based on need Most importantly, your SAI is only part of the equation. Each school calculates their cost of attendance minus your SAI to determine your need. A $24,000/year school might determine you have approximately $20,000 in need, which can be filled with various aid types.

THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! My family made $92K and our SAI was 7300 which meant ZERO grants. Meanwhile my cousin's family makes $79K and their SAI was 2200 and they got Pell Grants! How does that make ANY sense?? The formula is completely broken and punishes families who save money or have multiple jobs. It's absolutely INSANE that middle class families have to take out MASSIVE LOANS while others get free money!!!

i had 4300 SAI and got some work study but no grants. ended up with like $5500 in subsidized loans too. kinda sucks but better than nothing i guess

Your SAI of 4115 definitely doesn't disqualify you from all aid. While Pell Grants typically go to students with lower SAIs, you should absolutely apply to multiple schools and compare aid packages. Each institution handles need-based aid differently. I'd recommend: 1. Apply to schools known for generous financial aid (you can find lists online) 2. Look into state grant programs - many have higher SAI cutoffs than federal programs 3. Consider applying to some private colleges too - they often have more institutional aid available 4. Complete any supplemental financial aid forms required by schools (like the CSS Profile) I've seen students with SAIs in the 4000-5000 range receive decent aid packages, especially from schools eager to attract strong students. Don't get discouraged before you see actual offers!

If you're struggling to get information about what your SAI means for financial aid at specific schools, I'd recommend trying to speak directly with a financial aid officer. I was having the same issue last month and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold for hours when calling the Federal Student Aid helpline. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual person at FSA who explained exactly what my SAI meant for different types of aid. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. It saved me so much frustration and I actually got clear answers instead of generic website info.

My kid had a similar SAI (around 4200) and still got some aid. It really depends on the school tho. She got almost nothing from her first choice but her second choice gave her a decent package with work study and some small grants. Tell your parents to check if their employers offer any tuition benefits too - sometimes companies have scholarships for employees kids that nobody knows about.

Your SAI of 4115 is actually in a decent range! While you won't qualify for Pell Grants (which typically require SAI under 3000), you're still eligible for several types of aid. With your family income of $87k, you should definitely qualify for subsidized loans and likely work-study. Many schools also offer institutional grants for students in your SAI range. The key is to apply to multiple schools and compare aid packages - I've seen students with similar SAIs get very different offers depending on the school. Don't give up hope before you see actual award letters!

Hey! I'm in almost the exact same situation - my SAI came back at 4280 and my parents make around $85k. I was totally panicking at first but after reading through everyone's responses here, I'm feeling a bit more optimistic. I've been doing some research and found that some schools publish their average aid packages by SAI range on their websites, which has been super helpful for setting realistic expectations. Also, don't forget to look into merit-based scholarships too - those aren't tied to your SAI at all! I've been applying to a bunch of smaller local scholarships that most people probably don't know about. Good luck with everything!

I'm in a similar situation with an SAI of 3,895 and family income around $82k. From what I've learned researching this, your SAI puts you right on the borderline for some aid programs. You might still qualify for partial Pell Grant depending on your cost of attendance - the calculation isn't just based on SAI alone. Also, definitely look into your state's grant programs since California has some good ones for middle-income families. I found that community college for the first two years then transferring can cut costs significantly while still getting your degree from a 4-year university. Have you considered that option? It's not ideal but could save you like $20k+ in total costs.

I'm in a similar situation with an SAI of 4,250 and parents making about $89k. After going through this whole process last year, here's what I learned: don't just focus on the big name schools. Some smaller state universities and regional colleges are way more generous with aid for students in our SAI range. I ended up getting a package that covered about 70% of my costs at a school I almost didn't apply to because I thought it was a "safety." Also, make sure you're applying for SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) - it's limited funding but students with SAIs in the 4000s can sometimes still qualify if the school has leftover funds. The key is applying early and to schools that really want you as a student!