What does SAI 7683 mean for financial aid - good or bad FAFSA number?

the lower your SAI the better so 7683 is like middle of the road tbh. you'll probs get some aid but not a full ride or anything

Your SAI (Student Aid Index) of 7683 indicates what the government thinks your family can afford to contribute annually toward your education. With your parents' income around $65k, this seems like a reasonable calculation. Whether this is "good" depends on the cost of the schools you're applying to. At a state university with a total cost of $25k/year, your SAI means you could qualify for up to $17,317 in need-based aid (the difference between cost and your SAI). At an expensive private college costing $75k/year, you could qualify for up to $67,317 in need-based aid. Don't forget that Pell Grants are typically available to students with an SAI below 6206 for the 2025-2026 academic year, so you'd be just above that threshold. However, many schools offer institutional grants based on their own formulas.

7683 isn't terrible! My brother had like 12000 something and still got aid. It really depends on the school too, not just federal stuff.

Yes, you can appeal your SAI if you have special circumstances that weren't captured in your FAFSA. This is called a Professional Judgment Review (or sometimes a Financial Aid Appeal). Valid reasons include: - Job loss or reduction in income since filing taxes - Unusual medical expenses not covered by insurance - One-time income that inflated your parents' earnings (like a retirement distribution) - Support of extended family members - Divorce or separation after filing the FAFSA Contact each school's financial aid office directly to ask about their appeal process. You'll need documentation to support your case. Each school handles appeals differently, and they have discretion in adjusting your aid.

When I was trying to figure out my SAI last year I called the Federal Student Aid number CONSTANTLY and could never get through!!! So frustrating when you're trying to plan your financial future and can't even talk to someone who knows what these numbers mean 😡

I remember stressing about my SAI when I got mine too!! The whole system is RIDICULOUS. They expect families to contribute thousands of dollars they don't actually have! My SAI was 8200 and my parents were like "lol where do they think we're getting that money from??" The financial aid system is BROKEN and designed to force students into debt. Sorry but that's just the truth.

One important thing to remember: your SAI of 7683 is just one factor in your overall financial aid package. Schools will often use this as a starting point but may offer: 1. Merit-based scholarships (based on GPA, test scores, etc.) 2. Institutional grants (from the school's own funds) 3. Work-study opportunities 4. Tuition payment plans I recommend creating a spreadsheet to compare offers once you receive them. The financial aid letters can be confusing because each school formats them differently. Be sure to distinguish between grants (free money) and loans (must be repaid).

when i did my fafsa my SAI was 9200 and I still got a decent aid package from my state university. i didn't get pell but got state grants and some institutional aid. ended up paying about 4k out of pocket per semester which wasn't too bad actually. my dads income was like 72k that year for reference

also don't 4get to apply for outside scholarships!! my SAI was higher than urs but i still got like $3500 in random scholarships from local businesses and my moms work and stuff. every little bit helps

One last tip: if your financial situation has changed significantly since you filed your taxes (which is what your current SAI is based on), make sure to inform all your schools' financial aid offices immediately. The 2025-2026 FAFSA uses tax information from 2023, so if 2024 was much different, that's relevant information. For example, if a parent lost a job, had medical issues, or if your family size changed, these can all affect your actual ability to pay regardless of what the SAI formula calculated. Schools have discretion to adjust your aid based on current circumstances. Best of luck with your college journey!

Your SAI of 7683 is actually pretty reasonable given your family's income! I had a similar situation - my parents made about $68k and my SAI was around 8100. Here's what I wish someone had told me: don't just focus on the federal aid. State aid programs can be huge! Depending on what state you're in, there might be need-based grants that have different income thresholds than federal programs. Also, community colleges for your first two years can be a game-changer - you can often get your general ed requirements done for way less money, then transfer to a four-year school. I ended up saving like $15k doing that route and still got my degree from the university I wanted!