Where to find your FAFSA SAI number after applying?

Your SAI (Student Aid Index) should be visible in your FAFSA confirmation email and also on your Student Aid Report (SAR). Log into studentaid.gov, go to \

Thanks! I just checked and my application still says \

mine took forever to show up too! like a month! keep checking the documents section. when its finally done processing youll see it right on the first page of the SAR

A MONTH?! I'm already panicking because my college needs my SAI by next week for their scholarship consideration. Why does everything with FAFSA have to be so complicated and slow???

The system is totally broken this year! I submitted in October and didn't get my SAI until December. If you need it urgently, you should try calling Federal Student Aid directly - though good luck getting through. I spent HOURS on hold and kept getting disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent who helped me. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is ready. Saved me so much time. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

I might try that if mine doesn't show up soon. My school's priority deadline is coming up and I'm worried about missing out on aid. Did the agent tell you your SAI over the phone or did they just push your application through faster?

Just to clarify some misinformation I'm seeing in these comments:\n\n1. The SAI (Student Aid Index) ONLY appears on your Student Aid Report (SAR), not in the confirmation email.\n\n2. Processing time is currently averaging 2-3 weeks (not 3-4) for applications without errors.\n\n3. If your school needs your SAI urgently, they can actually retrieve it directly from the federal database if your FAFSA is fully processed, even if you can't see it yet.\n\nTo find your SAR, log into studentaid.gov, click on \

Thank you for the detailed explanation! This makes me feel better knowing my school might be able to access it directly. Is there a way to check if my application is fully processed even if I can't see the SAR yet?

am i the only one who remembers when it was called the EFC not the SAI? lol they keep changing everything and expect us to keep up

Omg yes! I was so confused when my daughter's counselor kept talking about SAI and I was like

I HATE the new FAFSA!!!! I finally found my SAI number and it's WAYYY higher than it should be. Like $12,000 higher than last year's EFC! I have three kids in college and they're not even counting that correctly. The whole simplified FAFSA is a DISASTER. Has anyone successfully appealed their SAI calculation? I'm freaking out because this means almost no financial aid for my kids.

Yes, you can appeal your SAI if you have special circumstances. The process is called a \

Update: My SAR finally came through! For anyone else looking, the SAI is right at the top of the first page with a heading that says \

Great news! Your SAI essentially represents what the federal government believes your family can contribute annually toward college costs. It's not the exact amount you'll pay - it's used by schools to calculate your financial need (Cost of Attendance minus SAI). A lower SAI means you qualify for more need-based aid. Each school will use this number to create a unique financial aid package for you. Make sure to compare these packages carefully when they arrive!