There are several notable changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Some of these updates are specific to divorced or separated parents.

The Student Aid Index (SAI) replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for the FAFSA (which families are filing right now). However, this has led to a lot of confusion. What does SAI mean?

Here's how the form works. What is FAFSA? The FAFSA is a form for students and families to complete in order to receive federal student aid to fund post-secondary education.

The SAI is a number that estimates the applicant’s ability to pay for college, generated based on the information provided on the FAFSA.

This calculator will help you determine your financial aid eligibility for the 2025 - 2026 school year, using the most up-to-date SAI and FAFSA calculations.

The document includes the most important outcome of the FAFSA process: your Student Aid Index, or SAI. This index measures your family’s ability to pay for school. Your SAI can be as low as -1,500.

After FAFSA simplification: Unlike the EFC, the new SAI calculation can drop below zero. The SAI can be as low as negative $1,500. A family with significantly fewer financial resources could ...

The 2024-25 school year may be nearly over, but you could still get financial aid to help cover costs. Follow these tips to fill out the application, but don't delay.

Students are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year they are enrolled at UAB. The FAFSA uses a family’s income, assets, household size, and additional ...

Using an SAI Calculator, like the one offered by MEFA, can give you a sense of the questions you’ll be asked on the FAFSA and your potential eligibility for financial aid.