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Fafsa Aid Estimator
FAFSA • 2026-2027 • Student Aid Index

FAFSA SAI Estimator

Estimate your 2026-2027 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant eligibility using the latest FAFSA formulas.

Inputs

Enter your financial information

Student Status

Family Information

Parent Income & Assets

Student Income & Assets

Results

2026-2027 Academic Year

Auto-Zero Eligible

You qualify for Maximum Pell Grant based on income relative to Federal Poverty Level.

Student Aid Index (SAI)-1500

Negative SAI indicates maximum financial need and qualifies for Maximum Pell Grant.

Estimated Pell Grant$7,395

Maximum Pell Grant for 2026-2027: $7,395

Contribution Breakdown

Parent Contribution$10,120
Student Contribution$0

Parent Details

Available Income$10,120
Income Protection Allowance$44,880
Reportable Assets$0
Asset Contribution (5.648%)$0

Student Details

Available Income$0
Income Protection Allowance$11,770
Reportable Assets$0
Asset Contribution (20%)$0

Note: SAI is an index number, not a dollar amount. Your actual cost depends on each college's Cost of Attendance and financial aid policies.

Calculator inputs stay on your device (local processing).

Disclaimer: All calculators on this website are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. The results do not constitute professional advice (including legal, tax, financial, medical, or other advice). Despite careful programming, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the results. For matters requiring professional advice, we recommend consulting an appropriate specialist (e.g., a tax advisor, lawyer, accountant, or physician).

FAFSA SAI Estimator: Calculate Your Student Aid Index for 2026-2027

Heading to college in 2026? The first step to securing financial aid is understanding your Student Aid Index (SAI). Our FAFSA estimator uses the latest 2026-2027 federal formulas to help you predict your eligibility for Pell Grants, work-study, and federal loans. The SAI replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in 2024, bringing significant changes including the ability to have a negative index (as low as -1500) and the removal of the sibling discount.

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

The SAI is an eligibility index number that colleges use to determine how much federal student aid you may receive. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in 2024 to simplify the financial aid process.

Key Changes for 2026:

  • Negative SAI: Your index can now go as low as -1500, helping the neediest students receive additional support beyond the Max Pell Grant.
  • No Sibling Discount: Having multiple siblings in college no longer reduces your SAI. Each student is assessed individually.
  • Simplified Assets: Small business and family farm equity are now excluded if they meet specific "family-owned" criteria (fewer than 100 employees, family lives on farm).
  • Auto-Zero Eligibility: More families qualify for Maximum Pell Grant automatically based on income relative to Federal Poverty Level.

2026-2027 Income Protection Allowances (IPA)

The IRS allows you to shield a portion of your income from the SAI calculation to cover basic living expenses. These are the indexed values for the 2026-2027 award year:

Family SizeParent IPA (Dependent)Independent (Single)Independent (Married/with Deps)
1N/A$18,310—
2$29,190—$29,350
3$36,330—$68,430
4$44,880—$84,480
5$52,950—$99,700

Note: These allowances are subtracted from your AGI before calculating your contribution. Larger families receive higher protection allowances.

Will I Qualify for a Federal Pell Grant?

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Maximum Pell Grant is $7,395. Eligibility is now primarily determined by your AGI relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

  • Maximum Pell: Generally available if your family income is below 225% of FPL (for unmarried parents) or 175% of FPL (for married parents). For a family of 4, this is approximately $70,200 (unmarried) or $54,600 (married).
  • Minimum Pell: Even if you don't qualify for the Max, you may receive a partial grant if your SAI is less than $14,790 (which is 2 × Max Pell).
  • Negative SAI: If your SAI is -1500 or lower, you automatically qualify for Maximum Pell Grant plus additional need-based aid.

Example: A family of 4 with an unmarried parent earning $65,000 would likely qualify for Maximum Pell Grant, as their income is below the 225% FPL threshold ($70,200).

Understanding Asset Exclusions

Not all assets count toward your SAI calculation. The following are excluded:

  • Primary Residence: The value of your family's primary home is not counted as an asset.
  • Family Farm: If your family lives on the farm, its value is excluded from asset calculations.
  • Small Business: Family-owned businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees are excluded.
  • Retirement Accounts: 401(k), IRA, and other qualified retirement accounts are not counted as assets.
  • Personal Property: Cars, furniture, and other personal property are not included.

What IS counted: Cash, checking and savings accounts, investments (stocks, bonds, mutual funds), real estate other than primary residence, and business equity (if business has 100+ employees).

How We Calculate: The Math Behind the SAI

Our calculator uses the official 2026-2027 FAFSA formulas to determine your Student Aid Index. Here's how each component is calculated:

1. Auto-Zero Eligibility Check

Before calculating contributions, we check if you automatically qualify for Maximum Pell Grant:

  • Dependent students: If parent AGI ≤ 225% of FPL (unmarried) or ≤ 175% of FPL (married)
  • Independent students: If student AGI ≤ 225% of FPL (single) or ≤ 175% of FPL (married)

If qualified, SAI is set to -1500 (maximum need), and you receive the full $7,395 Pell Grant.

2. Parent Contribution (Dependent Students)

Parent Contribution = Available Income + Asset Contribution

Available Income = AGI - Federal Taxes Paid - Income Protection Allowance - Employment Expense Allowance
Asset Contribution = (Reportable Assets - Asset Protection Allowance) × 5.648%

Note: Asset Protection Allowance is $0 for 2026-2027. Parent assets are assessed at 5.648% annually.

3. Student Contribution

Student Contribution = Income Contribution + Asset Contribution

Income Contribution = (AGI - Federal Taxes Paid - Student IPA) × 50%
Asset Contribution = (Reportable Assets - Asset Protection Allowance) × 20%

Note: Student Income Protection Allowance is $11,770 for 2026-2027. Student assets are assessed at 20% annually.

4. Final SAI Calculation

SAI = Parent Contribution + Student Contribution

The SAI is then clamped to the valid range: -1500 to 999,999

A negative SAI indicates maximum financial need and qualifies for Maximum Pell Grant plus additional need-based aid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Does the SAI tell me exactly how much I will pay?

No. The SAI is an index, not a dollar amount. Your actual cost is: Cost of Attendance (COA) - Financial Aid Package = Net Price. The SAI helps colleges determine your financial need, but each school's financial aid office uses it differently to create your aid package.

Q:Why did my SAI increase despite no change in income?

The most common reason is the removal of the 'number in college' factor. If you previously had two children in college, your EFC was split; under the SAI, each student is assessed individually without that division. Additionally, asset protection allowances changed, and some families may see different results due to the new calculation methodology.

Q:What assets should I exclude?

Do not report the value of your primary home, your 401(k)/IRA balances, or a family-owned small business with fewer than 100 employees. Also exclude family farms where your family lives, personal property (cars, furniture), and qualified retirement accounts. Only report cash, checking/savings accounts, investments, and real estate other than your primary residence.

Q:Can I have a negative SAI?

Yes! The SAI can go as low as -1500, which indicates maximum financial need. A negative SAI qualifies you for the Maximum Pell Grant ($7,395 for 2026-2027) plus additional need-based aid. This is one of the key improvements over the old EFC system.

Q:How does the auto-zero rule work?

If your family's AGI is below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level (for unmarried parents) or 175% (for married parents), you automatically qualify for Maximum Pell Grant and your SAI is set to -1500. This simplifies the process for low-income families and ensures they receive the maximum aid available.

Q:What's the difference between SAI and EFC?

The SAI replaced the EFC in 2024. Key differences: (1) SAI can be negative (down to -1500), while EFC could only be zero or positive, (2) No sibling discount in SAI calculation, (3) Simplified asset exclusions, (4) More families qualify for auto-zero/Maximum Pell, (5) SAI is an index number, not a dollar amount like EFC.

Q:How accurate is this estimator?

Our calculator uses the official 2026-2027 FAFSA formulas and income protection allowances. However, actual SAI calculations may vary slightly based on specific circumstances, state of residence, and other factors. This tool provides a close estimate to help you plan, but you should complete the official FAFSA form for your actual aid determination.

Q:When should I complete the FAFSA?

The FAFSA opens on October 1st for the following academic year. For 2026-2027, you can file starting October 1, 2025. File as early as possible, as some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Many states and colleges also have their own deadlines that may be earlier than the federal deadline.
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How This Calculator Works

Select whether you're a dependent or independent student. Enter your family's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), federal taxes paid, and family size. Input your assets (cash, investments, other assets) while excluding your primary residence, family farm, and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The calculator automatically checks if you qualify for auto-zero (Maximum Pell Grant) based on income relative to the Federal Poverty Level, then calculates your Parent Contribution (if dependent) and Student Contribution to determine your final SAI.
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Calculation Methodology

Our calculator uses the official 2026-2027 FAFSA formulas to determine your Student Aid Index:

  • Auto-Zero Check: If family AGI ≤ 225% of FPL (unmarried) or ≤ 175% of FPL (married), SAI is set to -1500 and student qualifies for Maximum Pell Grant.
  • Parent Contribution: Available Income (AGI - Taxes - IPA - Employment Allowance) + Asset Contribution (Reportable Assets × 5.648%)
  • Student Contribution: Income Contribution ((AGI - Taxes - Student IPA) × 50%) + Asset Contribution (Reportable Assets × 20%)
  • SAI: Parent Contribution + Student Contribution, clamped to range -1500 to 999,999

Asset Protection Allowance is $0 for 2026-2027. Primary residence, family farms, and small businesses (<100 employees) are excluded from asset calculations.