Where is that FAFSA SAI calculator chart that shows estimated SAI based on AGI?

Are you looking for the official Federal Student Aid tables or someone's homemade chart? The official SAI calculation tables for the 2025-2026 FAFSA are available directly on studentaid.gov under the "How Aid is Calculated" section. It breaks down the income protection allowances based on family size and shows the contribution percentages for different income brackets. The formula is actually pretty complex with different assessment rates for parent vs. student income and assets.

i think i kno what ur talking about!! was it the one with the colorcode bars?? red yellow green showing if ud get pell grants or not?? saw smthing like that maybe 2 weeks ago

I created a simplified chart that sounds like what you're describing! I posted it in a thread called "FAFSA Changes Explained: What Your SAI Actually Means" about 3 weeks ago. It broke down typical SAI ranges based on household income and size, with color coding for Pell eligibility. I'll repost the latest version with the 2025-2026 updated income protection allowances when I get home tonight - they just adjusted them for inflation again.

Just FYI - those simplified charts can be helpful for ballpark estimates, but they don't capture the full FAFSA formula. With a family income of $95k and one dependent, your parents' contribution will depend on several factors beyond just AGI: 1. How much of their income comes from work vs. other sources 2. Your family's assets (excluding primary home and retirement) 3. Whether you have siblings in college simultaneously 4. State of residence (some states use SAI differently) Don't get discouraged if a simplified chart suggests you won't qualify for need-based aid. Your actual SAI could be lower depending on these factors, and individual schools might offer institutional aid even with a higher SAI.

I've been trying to call Federal Student Aid for TWO WEEKS to get clarification on how they calculate the SAI with the new formula, and I STILL can't get through to anyone! Either busy signals or disconnected after waiting 45+ minutes. This is absolutely RIDICULOUS. How are families supposed to plan when you can't even talk to someone? I have specific questions about how they treat rental property income that none of these charts or online explanations address!

Thanks everyone! I found the chart in that thread mentioned above. For anyone else looking for it, search for "FAFSA Changes Explained: What Your SAI Actually Means" - really helpful simplified breakdown. Based on that and the other comments here, looks like we might qualify for some institutional aid at certain schools even if federal grants are unlikely with our family income. Going to have my parents look at the asset questions more carefully too.

wait did u guys hear they mite change the formula AGAIN next year?? my cousins college advisor told her that congress is looking at tweaking the SAI formula for 2026 becuz too many people lost eligibility with the new one

For what it's worth, I've been using the Federal Student Aid estimator tool at studentaid.gov/aid-estimator and found it pretty accurate when I compared it to my actual SAI after submitting my FAFSA. It asks for the same basic info (AGI, family size, assets) but gives you a more personalized estimate than those simplified charts. Takes about 5 minutes to fill out and might give your parents a better sense of where you stand before getting their hopes up or down. The tool also shows you estimated Pell Grant amounts and loan eligibility, which is helpful for planning.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else in a similar situation - my family income was right around $94k last year and I was really worried we wouldn't qualify for anything. Turns out we got a small Pell Grant ($1,200) and some state aid because my parents don't have much in savings and my mom's been unemployed part of the year. The FAFSA formula is way more nuanced than those income cutoff charts suggest! Also agree with using the official estimator tool - it was pretty spot on for us. Don't give up hope based on income alone, there are so many other factors that can work in your favor.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another resource that might help! The College Board also has a really detailed EFC/SAI calculator that lets you compare what your family contribution would have been under the old EFC system versus the new SAI formula. It's called the "CSS Profile EFC Quick Reference Table" but they updated it for SAI comparisons. Really eye-opening to see how the formula changes affected different income brackets - some families actually came out better with the new system, especially those with multiple kids or unusual financial circumstances. Might be worth checking out alongside that Federal Student Aid estimator tool others mentioned!

I'm so glad you found that helpful chart! As someone new to navigating FAFSA with similar family income concerns, I've been learning that the simplified charts are great starting points but the official estimator at studentaid.gov really is the way to go for accuracy. One thing I discovered is that timing matters too - if your parents had any unusual financial circumstances this year (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), you can appeal your SAI through the financial aid office at your schools. It's called "professional judgment" and can sometimes result in adjustments that those basic income charts would never capture. Also, don't forget to apply broadly to schools - some private colleges with large endowments can be surprisingly generous with institutional aid even for middle-income families. Good luck with everything!

As someone who just went through this process, I wanted to add that the Federal Student Aid estimator tool everyone's mentioning is definitely the most accurate, but make sure you have your tax documents handy when you use it. I made the mistake of estimating some numbers the first time and got a result that was way off from my actual FAFSA. Also, if your parents are self-employed or have any business income, those simplified charts really won't help much - the business asset questions can significantly impact your SAI in ways that basic AGI charts don't show. One last tip: if you're a junior or younger, consider having your parents strategically time any major financial moves (like cashing in investments) to minimize the impact on your FAFSA years. The asset snapshot date matters more than people realize!