Is a negative SAI (-690) on FAFSA good for getting college financial aid?

Negative is good!! It means ur family has high financial need. Lower SAI = more aid usually

A negative SAI (Student Aid Index) of -690 is actually quite good for financial aid purposes. The SAI replaced the old EFC system and measures your family's financial strength. The lower the number, the more aid you're likely eligible for, with negative numbers indicating higher need. For Pell Grants specifically (which is federal gift aid you don't repay), the maximum for 2025-2026 will likely be around $7,500-$8,000 for students with SAIs in your daughter's range. Your daughter would likely qualify for the maximum amount. Keep in mind the SAI is just one factor. Each school uses this number differently in their own financial aid formulas, especially private colleges which may also require the CSS Profile for institutional aid. Your actual cost will vary by school.

When my son got a negative SAI last year we were thrilled but then got totally confused by the actual financial aid packages. Private College offered WAY more than State U even though their sticker price was higher!!! Don't assume cheaper schools = better deal until you see the final numbers.

This is excellent news for your daughter's financial aid prospects. With an SAI of -690, she's positioned to receive significant aid at most institutions. Here's what you should know: 1. Your daughter will almost certainly qualify for the maximum Pell Grant 2. She'll likely receive significant need-based aid at both schools you mentioned 3. Private College may actually end up CHEAPER than State University despite the higher sticker price because private schools often have more institutional aid available 4. You should expect to receive your aid packages about 2-4 weeks after acceptance letters 5. Each school will calculate your "net price" differently based on their available funding Don't make any decisions until you see the final aid packages side by side. Also, be aware that some schools practice "gapping" where they acknowledge your need but don't fully fund it.

YES!! Apply for outside scholarships NOW! My daughter had a similar SAI and we still ended up paying about $12k/year out of pocket at a state school. The FAFSA aid was good but didn't cover everything. The financial aid offices kept telling us they're giving us "the maximum" but that maximum still left a big gap. Start looking for departmental scholarships at the schools too - they often have separate applications.

congrats on the negative SAI! thats great news. my daighter got -1200 last year and she got full tuition covered at 2 schools but we still pay room/board. have you filled out the CSS Profile too? some schools require that for their institutional aid on top of FAFSA

Has anyone actually tried CALLING the Federal Student Aid helpline to get a clear explanation of what your SAI means for specific schools? I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through last month and kept getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. So frustrating!!!

Just a word of caution - even with that great negative SAI, don't count your chickens until you see the final aid packages! My son had a -850 SAI last year, but then his top choice school came back with a "financial aid package" that was mostly LOANS. They counted Parent PLUS loans as part of his "aid" which is ridiculous because those are just loans WE have to pay back with interest! Some schools play games with how they present the financial aid. Make sure you understand what's a GRANT (free money) versus what's a LOAN (money you or your daughter will owe). Don't be fooled by a pretty financial aid letter that hides the true cost.

To follow up on everyone's helpful comments, here's a quick guide for what to do next with your daughter's excellent -690 SAI: 1. Check which of her schools require the CSS Profile and complete it ASAP if needed 2. Contact each school's financial aid office directly to ask about any institutional/merit scholarships she might qualify for (these are separate from need-based aid) 3. When you receive the financial aid award letters, carefully separate them into these categories: - Free money (grants, scholarships) - Student loans (Stafford/Direct loans - these are in the student's name) - Parent loans (PLUS loans - these are in your name) - Work-study (money earned through campus employment) 4. Calculate the true "net cost" by subtracting ONLY the free money from the total cost of attendance 5. Compare these true net costs between schools to make your decision A negative SAI is definitely good news, but staying organized about the next steps is key to maximizing this advantage!

Congratulations on the negative SAI! That's fantastic news for your daughter's financial aid eligibility. As someone who went through this process recently, I want to emphasize what others have said about not making any decisions until you see ALL the award letters side by side. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier: create a simple spreadsheet to track each school's offer. List the total cost of attendance, then subtract ONLY the grants and scholarships (free money) to get your true out-of-pocket cost. Don't include loans or work-study in your "aid received" calculations when comparing schools. Also, once you get the award letters, don't be afraid to appeal if the aid seems insufficient. Schools have some flexibility, especially if you can demonstrate special circumstances or if a comparable school offered more aid. With your daughter's -690 SAI, you have strong grounds for requesting maximum assistance. Good luck! This is actually a great position to be in for college affordability.