Unexpected SAI doubled from last year despite same AGI - what's going on with FAFSA 2025-26?

Have you checked if any assets were reported differently this year? The new FAFSA formula treats certain assets much more heavily. For example, if you have a 529 plan that wasn't properly reported as a parent asset last year, that could cause a big jump. Also, check if your contributions to retirement accounts changed - those are protected in the formula but if you contributed less this year, more of your income might be counted.

same thing happned to us!!! our SAI went from like 9k to 18k and literally nothing changed with our finances. its like they completely changed how they calculate it on the backend. my son is freaking out because he might lose his grants now

This is happening to a LOT of families this year. The new FAFSA formula is calculated differently in several ways that can cause these jumps: 1. Treatment of small businesses and farms changed dramatically 2. If you have multiple students in college, the benefit for that was reduced 3. The income protection allowance calculations changed 4. Cash support from relatives (like grandparents) is now counted differently 5. That retirement account withdrawal would definitely impact your SAI I'd strongly recommend you submit an appeal to your financial aid office with documentation of the one-time retirement withdrawal being for emergency home repairs. Many schools have special circumstance forms specifically for this situation.

File a Professional Judgment appeal ASAP! I'm a financial aid counselor, and we're seeing this all over the place with the new formula. The multiple students in college change is HUGE - previously having 2 kids in college roughly cut your EFC/SAI in half, but now it barely makes a difference. Also that retirement withdrawal is being counted as income even though it was for an emergency repair. Definitely explain both of these situations in your appeal with documentation. Each school handles appeals differently, but most are aware of these FAFSA formula issues.

check ur asset reporting too!!!! did u maybe accidentally include ur home equity this time? the new FAFSA is confusing af and i almost made that mistake. they dont count home equity but the questions r worded weird

I've been trying to reach the Federal Student Aid help desk about a similar issue with my son's SAI calculation, and it was impossible to get through. After three days of trying, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get past the wait times. They actually connected me to a real FSA agent in about 20 minutes! The agent explained that several formula changes are causing these SAI jumps. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The FSA agent confirmed I should file a special circumstances appeal with each school's financial aid office, not through FAFSA directly.

Just an update on this issue - I've been researching it more. The new FAFSA has several massive changes that are causing these SAI spikes: 1. The multiple-in-college benefit was reduced significantly 2. The income protection allowance was adjusted (some families benefit, others don't) 3. Small business/farm assets are treated differently 4. Retirement account distributions are now fully counted as income even if for emergency purposes 5. Contributions from non-custodial parents and grandparents are handled differently The best step is definitely to file an appeal with each college's financial aid office. Document everything, especially that retirement withdrawal and what it was used for. Many schools are being more flexible this year because they understand the formula changes have created problems.

The Education Department actually admitted the new FAFSA has issues! I read an article that said they're getting tons of complaints about these SAI jumps and are "looking into it." Too late for those of us trying to figure out how to pay for college THIS fall though 🙄

my daughter's financial aid package got slaughtered because of this SAI jump. went from qualifying for $12k in need-based grants to ZERO. all they offered was loans. this is our last kid in college and we were counting on those grants just like her older brother got. absolutely ridiculous that they'd change the formula this dramatically with no warning.

After helping dozens of families with this exact issue, here's my advice: 1. First, double-check your FAFSA for errors - especially home equity inclusion, business valuation, or retirement distributions 2. Contact each college's financial aid office directly (not FSA) to request their Professional Judgment/Special Circumstances form 3. Document EVERYTHING - the retirement withdrawal, home repair costs, multiple students in college, any medical expenses, etc. 4. Be specific in your appeal about what changed in your situation vs. what formula changes unfairly impacted you 5. Follow up weekly - financial aid offices are swamped right now Colleges have discretion to adjust your SAI even when the federal formula doesn't work in your favor. They WANT to help, but you need to make a strong case.

I'm seeing this same pattern with so many families this year - you're definitely not alone! The combination of that $15k retirement withdrawal plus having 2 kids in college under the new formula is likely what caused your SAI to double. The new FAFSA barely gives any benefit for multiple students anymore (it used to cut your contribution roughly in half), and retirement distributions are now counted as full income regardless of the reason. I'd recommend appealing to both schools with documentation of the emergency home repairs and emphasizing that this was a one-time withdrawal. Many financial aid offices are being understanding about these formula issues, but you need to proactively reach out with your documentation.