How a Lower SAI Can Lead to Big-Time College Aid
For many families, the Student Aid Index (SAI) is the single most important number they’ve never heard of. But colleges know it well—because they use it to determine how much financial aid your student will qualify for. The lower your SAI, the more aid you’re likely to receive. But if your SAI is too high, you could be left paying full price, even with a solid income.
What is the SAI?
The Student Aid Index replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is used by colleges to calculate your financial need. It factors in income, assets, family size, number of students in college, and more. But it’s not just a passive number—families can take active steps to reduce it.
Why does it matter?
Colleges subtract your SAI from their cost of attendance to decide your need-based aid. If your SAI is $40,000 and the school costs $60,000, your financial need is $20,000. But if you can lower your SAI to $20,000, your aid eligibility could double.
At Diversified College Planning, we help families understand where their SAI stands and how to reduce it—legally and strategically—so they can unlock more aid and avoid overpaying.
Contact Us Today:
Want to learn how to lower your SAI and increase your aid eligibility?
📞 Call us at 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule a free consultation: Book with Jarad
Or visit our Contact Page: https://diversifiedcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/
