Why should a family learn how to use a Student Aid Index or SAI Calculator? Beginning October 2025, the FAFSA form, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, will be available for the 2026-2027 school year . The SAI is the number a college will use in estimating a student’s financial need. After completing the FAFSA form, families will get their Student Aid Index, and the Federal Student Aid Office (FSA) will send this processed number to the colleges the student has specified.
How is the SAI Calculated?
Most people believe the SAI to be a single number, but it is the sum of four significant calculations. PayForED breaks down the Student Aid Index number so that parents and students can understand what details are involved in this calculation and their financial aid positioning. The actual calculation involves four separate numbers that are summed together: the parents’ income, the parents’ assets, the student’s income, and the student’s assets. Each of these components has separate rules and allowances. Please click to our article on the Student Aid Index if you need further information.
Using the PayForED’s SAI Calculator
One of the functions built into PayForED’s software is the Student Aid Index calculator. Families can get a preview of the financial aid they might receive from all the schools on a college list. The SAI Calculator in the College Cost Analyzer was developed using the same formula as the federal government and has been updated for the 2026-2027 FAFSA year academic year.
How is the College Cost Analyzer software helpful? ? With this software, families only need to input their financial information once, and the software generates their SAI number for all of their schools on their list. This quick and easy comparison will show families by school what they can expect to pay. If the calculation indicates that they are eligible for less aid than was expected, it helps engage the family and allows them to review the colleges on their child’s list. During this time, in addition to the SAI number, families should also discuss possible merit-based aid or outside scholarships.
This approach is done twice in the PayForED methodology. The first is at the pre-application process, and then again once the acceptance letter is received. Using this method enhances the college application list, enabling families to make an informed decision easily comparing colleges side by side.
How Accurate are SAI Calculators?
Most college websites offer net price calculators, which provide families with an estimate of what the college expects them to pay. The question you will need to determine is how accurate these calculators are, and whether you want to spend your time going to every college site to complete this process. If you choose this route, always verify that the cost of attendance data reflects the most current cost. Based on a University of Penn Study, many college net price calculators are not updated.
Families should understand that College net price calculators provide estimates, not guarantees, and their accuracy will depend on the institution’s data, the information the family inputs, and whether it includes merit aid.
Families also need to review the financial information that they enter. The accuracy of the SAI number is dependent on the accuracy of your information. When completing the FAFSA, we recommend entering the information and then waiting a day to review it. If you use the College Cost Analyzer, the SAI number calculated should give you a reasonable estimate for your FAFSA or Federal SAI number. This software solution will also provide additional transparency to your net cost and debt at graduation for each college.
Consulting a Financial Advisor
After using the PayForED SAI calculator, you may need more extensive help finding financial strategies to help lower your SAI and the cost of college. Most people underestimate the complexity of paying of college. If you would like to consult an expert, a list of College Funding and Student Loan Advisors (CFSLA) is available on the PayForED website.
Remember, your SAI is just one part of the paying-for-college puzzle. Other college cost-saving ideas include educational tax credits, college savings plans, and selecting the best financing options.
