Student Aid Index (SAI)

The Student Aid Index (SAI), previous the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), is an index number that college financial aid staff use to determine how much financial aid you would receive if you were to attend their school. The information you report on your FAFSA is used to calculate your SAI. 

The SAI is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family's taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) all could be considered in the formula.  The SAI Formula guide shows exactly how an SAI is calculated.

Important changes for the 2024-2025 FAFSA - 2023-2024 is the last academic year of the EFC. In 2024-2025 the EFC changes to the SAI. To learn more about this change visit Federal Student Aid's FAFSA Simplification Act page.

How is your financial aid package determined?

What is Need-Based Aid vs. Non-Need-Based Aid and how does my school figure out how much I'll get?

Estimate your SAI at the Federal Student Aid website if you have not filed your FAFSA for the current aid year.