Will my daughter's $3692 SAI mean she gets $54K in need-based FAFSA aid?

The calculation is technically correct for determining financial NEED, but that doesn't mean the school will meet 100% of that need. Most schools don't fully fund the gap. Your daughter will likely receive a mix of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans that covers part of that $54K gap, but rarely all of it. The financial aid package will show exactly what they're offering. Did you receive her aid package yet?

Unfortunately your understanding is not quite right. Your SAI is the MINIMUM the govt expects you to pay, but most schools don't have enough aid to cover the full difference between COA and SAI. Only a handful of elite universities meet 100% of demonstrated need. Most students end up with a "gap" they need to fill with additional loans, work, or family contributions. Schools typically "package" aid that includes some grants/scholarships, federal loans, and maybe work-study, but it's rarely the full amount needed. Wait for the actual financial aid package - that will tell you exactly what they're offering.

my daughter had almost same SAI last yr ($3800) and COA at her school was $62k... ended up with $38k in aid and we had to cover like $24k... its crazy!! deff not just the SAI amount we ended up paying!!

I work in financial aid, so let me clarify: The SAI determines eligibility for federal aid programs, but each school has its own methodology for distributing institutional aid. Your calculation of need is correct ($54,308), but few schools meet 100% of need. Typically you'll receive: - Federal aid (Pell Grant if eligible, Direct Loans up to annual limits) - Institutional grants/scholarships (varies widely by school) - Work-study (usually $2-3K) The gap between total aid and COA becomes your "unmet need" - which families cover through additional loans (Parent PLUS), savings, or outside scholarships. Private universities with large endowments tend to meet more need than public or less-resourced private schools.

My son just went through this too. The low SAI got our hopes up but the actual aid package was disappointing. Be prepared that your daughter may need to take out loans beyond the Direct Loans, or you might need Parent PLUS loans. Also look into payment plans - many schools let you spread payments over 10-12 months which helps with cash flow.

I spent HOURS trying to reach someone at Federal Student Aid when we had issues with our SAI calculation last year. After getting disconnected repeatedly, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual human at FSA in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Might be worth considering if you need to discuss your SAI with FSA directly. In our case, we had some unusual circumstances that warranted a professional judgment review, and speaking with someone directly helped start that process.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your daughter is probably looking at significant loans unless this is one of the few schools that meets full need. Our daughter had a similar SAI ($4100) and still ended up with about $20K in loans her first year alone! The financial aid system is such a joke - they act like the SAI is all you'll pay, but in reality it's just the starting point. The "affordable" part of the Affordable College Act is laughable.

Once you receive the aid package, compare it carefully to other schools' offers. Sometimes schools with higher sticker prices actually offer better aid packages, making them cheaper in reality. Also, don't forget to check for: 1. Merit scholarships (separate from need-based aid) 2. Department-specific scholarships in your daughter's major 3. Outside scholarships through local organizations 4. Tuition payment plans to spread costs If there have been significant changes to your financial situation since you filed the FAFSA (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), you can request a professional judgment review at the financial aid office.

After you get the aid package, you should schedule a meeting with a financial aid counselor at the school. They can explain exactly what's being offered and discuss options for covering any gap. Remember that the first package isn't always final - if you have competing offers from other schools, some institutions will adjust their packages to compete for top students.