Our SAI score finally came in at 6254 - better than expected with new FAFSA calculation

Congratulations on getting your SAI! A 6254 is actually pretty good in the new system - definitely on the lower side of middle income. Most schools will view that favorably for need-based aid consideration. For reference, 0 is the lowest possible SAI (maximum need) and anything above 15000-20000 starts to limit your federal aid options significantly. Make sure to contact each financial aid office directly - they often have institutional funds they can offer beyond what the federal methodology calculates. Have your daughter look into merit scholarships too, as those aren't based on your FAFSA results at all!

thats awesome!! my family got 11,689 and we were so disappointed. thought we would qualify for more with the new formula since were single income household but i guess not lol. good luck with scholarships!!

Your SAI of 6254 is definitely on the lower end compared to what many families are seeing this year. The new FAFSA formula has been a mixed bag - some families are seeing better results while others are facing higher SAIs than with the old EFC system. For school-specific financial aid, I'd recommend contacting each financial aid office directly once you receive their aid packages. For many schools, an SAI in the 6000 range should qualify for decent need-based aid, though the exact amount varies widely between institutions. Private schools with larger endowments often can offer more generous packages than state schools. For scholarships, look into: - School-specific merit scholarships (often automatic based on GPA/test scores) - Your local community foundation - Parents' employers - Professional associations in your daughter's intended field - Fastweb.com and scholarships.com Finally, don't hesitate to appeal any aid offer that seems insufficient. Many schools have additional institutional funds they can allocate, especially if you can document any special circumstances.

The FAFSA system this year is a COMPLETE DISASTER! I've filed FAFSAs for my kids since 2016 and have NEVER seen such a poorly executed rollout. They delayed the form release, then released a buggy system, then took MONTHS to process applications. And now we're all scrambling for remaining scholarship money because everything is so late in the cycle! But congrats on your SAI - that's actually pretty good. My daughter's came back at 12,890 which is way higher than our old EFC was last year. Makes absolutely no sense since they claimed the new formula would help more families qualify for aid. What a joke!

Anyone know how a 6254 SAI translates to actual aid? My daughter got accepted to three schools, but we're still waiting on financial aid packages because of all the FAFSA delays. I know Pell Grants go to students with SAIs under 3000 (I think), but what other federal aid would typically be available for an SAI in the 6000 range? Just trying to prepare ourselves for what to expect.

Does anyone know if the SAI varies for different kids in the same family? We have twins and I'm wondering if they'll get the same SAI or if it could be different somehow. Also waiting on our number but getting nervous seeing everyone else's starting to come in.

I must have submitted our FAFSA 10 different times because of glitches and errors this year. The whole rollout has been a nightmare! Glad you got a decent SAI though. We're still waiting... application status has been stuck on "processing" for almost 3 months. Did you have to call FSA to get your results or did they just show up?

6254 is definitely on the lower side for an SAI! That should translate to decent institutional aid at most schools. Just be prepared for the CSS Profile schools to potentially calculate a higher family contribution - they count home equity and other assets that FAFSA ignores. Also, don't forget to appeal your aid packages once they arrive! With all the FAFSA chaos this year, financial aid offices have more flexibility than usual to adjust packages.

Congratulations on getting your SAI! 6254 is actually really encouraging - you're in a good spot for need-based aid. I'm also navigating this process for the first time with my son, and the stress has been unreal with all the delays and system issues. One thing I learned from our college financial aid workshop is that schools using both FAFSA and CSS Profile often have more institutional aid available, especially for families in your SAI range. The CSS Profile might bump up your expected contribution some due to home equity and other assets, but many private schools also have larger endowments to help bridge those gaps. Definitely start that scholarship search now - even small local scholarships add up! Our guidance counselor recommended checking with local Rotary clubs, credit unions, and community foundations. Good luck with everything!

Just wanted to chime in as another newcomer to this whole process! Your SAI of 6254 gives me hope - we're still waiting on ours but have similar household income. I've been lurking in this community for weeks trying to understand how the new FAFSA system works, and honestly all the horror stories had me convinced we'd get stuck with some astronomical number. Quick question for everyone - I keep seeing mentions of appealing aid packages. Is that something most families do, or only in special circumstances? This is all so new to me and I don't want to miss any opportunities to help my daughter afford college. The whole system seems so much more complicated than when I went to school!