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Student Aid Index (SAI)
When you complete the FAFSA, the information is used to determine your Student Aid Index ( SAI ).
Your SAI will help to determine what type of financial aid you may be eligible for. Your financial aid eligibility is also determined by:
- your grade level status (freshman or sophomore)
- your enrollment status (full-time, 3/4 time, half-time, or less-than-half-time*)
- whether you’re a dependent or independent student (based on the FAFSA)
- your cost-of-attendance (COA)
If you've been selected for verification, your SAI may change when verification is completed.
Financial need and Need-based Aid
Your SAI (Student Aid Index) and your Cost of Attendance determine your financial need.
To calculate your financial need:
Cost of Attendance - SAI = Financial Need
A student must have financial need to receive certain types of federal student aid, such as
subsidized loans and Federal-Work study.
For more information on Financial Need and need-based aid go to the Federal Student Aid page How Aid Is Calculated
Visit our page to learn more information on different Types of Aid
Visit our page to learn more information on Enrollment Intensity which is used to calculate Federal Pell Grant awards