Student Aid Index and Financial Need
Financial Need is:
- determined by the school, and varies from college to college;
- based on the information you provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
- calculated using this equation:
Cost of Attendance (COA)
– Student Aid Index (SAI)
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Financial Need
Sample COA for a school:
Please note this is an example and costs will vary depending on where you plan to attend
| Dependent | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition / Fees | $2,723 | $2,723 |
| Living Expenses (Housing and Food) | $4,950 | $7,650 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Personal Expenses | $900 | $900 |
| Transportation | $3,600 | $3,600 |
| Total | $13,473 | $16,173 |
Estimated tuition/fees are usually higher for out-of-state students.
Once the family has a better idea of the institution’s cost of attendance, they can do their own net price calculation.
Using the scenario above for a dependent student who will remain living at home:
| COA | $2,723 |
| Less Living Expenses (Housing and Food) | $4,950 |
| Revised COA | $8,523 |
| Less Student Aid Index (SAI) | $0 |
| Less Federal Pell Grant | $5,500 |
| Less Merit-Based Aid | $1,524 |
| Equals Remaining Need | $1,502 |
The remaining need is an estimate of what it will cost the family out-of-pocket to send their student to that particular institution. The family can then decide how to pay that difference. The student could search for other free aid, the family could agree to pay the difference, or the student could get a part-time job and pay the difference. Having the financial aspect of higher education resolved before the first term begins will alleviate stress for both the student and the family.
For more information about the COA for any institution, visit that institution’s financial aid website, or contact their admissions and/or financial aid office.