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Financial Aid Calculator

Determine your college demonstrated financial need using Student Aid Index (SAI/EFC) and estimate Pell Grants, state aid, and work-study packages.

Estimated Grants & Aid Package

Calculation Results

Demonstrated Need & Net Price Formula

Financial Need = COA − Student Aid Index (SAI) | Net Price = COA − Total Gift Aid (Grants/Scholarships)
  • Student Aid Index (SAI, replacing EFC) is calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Demonstrated Financial Need determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants, subsidized loans, and campus work-study.
  • Gift aid (grants and scholarships) represents free money that does not need to be repaid.
  • Unmet need gap reveals the shortfall where families must cover costs via PLUS loans or private borrowing.

Step-by-Step Worked Example

Scenario: Student with a $4,500 SAI attending a university with a $34,000 Cost of Attendance.

Calculation Steps:

  1. Calculate Financial Need: $34,000 COA − $4,500 SAI = $29,500 demonstrated need.
  2. Total Gift Aid (Free Grants): $3,500 Pell + $2,000 State + $7,500 Institutional = $13,000.
  3. Total Self-Help Aid: $2,500 Work-Study + $3,500 Subsidized Loan = $6,000.
  4. Total Aid Package: $13,000 + $6,000 = $19,000.
  5. Net Price to Family: $34,000 COA − $13,000 Gift Aid = $21,000 out-of-pocket.
  6. Unmet Need Gap: $29,500 need − $19,000 aid = $10,500 gap.
Result: Demonstrated need is $29,500. Your financial aid package provides $13,000 in free gift aid and $6,000 in self-help aid, leaving a net price of $21,000 ($10,500 unmet gap).

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1Enter total published Cost of Attendance (COA) for your university.
  2. 2Provide your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA Submission Summary.
  3. 3Input offered Pell Grants, state awards, and institutional grant estimates.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • SAI can be negative (down to −$1,500 under FAFSA simplification rules) indicating maximum need.
  • Work-study earnings are earned through bi-weekly paychecks and not credited upfront to tuition bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

The Student Aid Index (SAI) replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA. It is an index number that colleges use to determine how much federal and need-based financial aid you are eligible to receive.

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