Student Aid Index (SAI)
The Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is an index number that is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
There is no maximum SAI that defines eligibility for financial aid programs. Instead, your SAI is used in an equation to determine your financial need:
Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index = Financial Need
Role of the Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office calculates your cost of attendance based your enrollment status and subtracts the Student Aid Index. If there a difference, you are considered to have financial need.
The Financial Aid Office can make adjustments to the cost of attendance or Student Aid Index based on documentation of adverse circumstance that affect the family's ability to contribute towards educational expenses. Examples of such circumstances include long term unemployment by a family member, death or disability.
Also see Web Rights and Responsibilities document.
