Student Aid Index and Financial Need

Most financial aid is based on financial need. Financial need is the difference between your college’s Cost of Attendance and your Student Aid Index (SAI) [formerly referred to as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)].

Financial Need is:

Sample COA for a school:

DependentIndependent
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.

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