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The SAI is calculated on the basis of information provided by postsecondary students and applicable family members on the Free  \nR48835  \nJanuary 27, 2026  \nBenjamin Collins  \nSpecialist in Labor Policy  \nApplication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), utilizing formulas established in the Higher Education Act (HEA) . The SAI is part of the need analysis system that is used to determine eligibility for need-based student aid. A student with an SAI of zero or less typically qualifies for the maximum amount of need-based federal aid, including a maximum Pell Grant. The FAFSA, SAI calculations, and many associated federal student aid programs are authorized by Title IV ofthe HEA and administered at the federal level by the Department of Education.  \nThis report answers frequently asked questions about the SAI and associated FAFSA process. It includes, as applicable, discussion of amendments to the HEA by the FAFSA Simplification Act (Title VII, Division FF of P.L. 116-260), which became fully effective with the 2024-2025 award year. The questions are divided into five categories:  \n• Background and Terminology. These questions relate to broad concepts, including background on the FAFSA and how the SAI is used by the federal government and other education stakeholders.  \n• Dependency Status. There are separate FAFSA requirements and SAI formulas for independent and dependent students. The answers to these questions cover how dependency status is determined, policies associated with each dependency status, and the dependency override process.  \n• Completing the FAFSA. These questions relate to what information is collected on the FAFSA and how it is provided.  \n• Calculating the SAI. These questions relate to the mechanics of the SAI formulas. The responses to the  \nquestions cover circumstances in which SAI is determined on a simplified set of factors as well as how the full SAI formula works for students who do not qualify for a simplified calculation. This section describes the roles of income and assets in the SAI calculation.  \n• Other Issues. These questions address the “professional judgement” process, the relationship between  \nFAFSA data and other means-tested benefit programs (e.g., SNAP), and recent changes made by the  \nFY2025 budget reconciliation law.  \nContents  \nBackground and Terminology ......................................................................................................... 1  \nWhat is the Student Aid Index?................................................................................................. 1  \nHow is the SAI used? ................................................................................................................ 1  \nWhat is the FAFSA?.................................................................................................................. 2  \nWhat entities other than ED receive information from the FAFSA, and how do they use it? ..................................................................................................................................... 3  \nWhat is the FAFSA Simplification Act?.................................................................................... 3  \nDependency Status .......................................................................................................................... 3  \nHow is dependency status determined? .................................................................................... 3  \nUnder what circ","cbCainIbvDq9Q1WK","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCainIbvDq9Q1WK","pdf",737125,"English","# Background and Terminology\n## What is the Student Aid Index?\n## How is the SAI used?\n## What is the FAFSA?\n## What entities other than ED receive information from the FAFSA, and how do they use it?\n## What is the FAFSA Simplification Act?\n# Dependency Status\n## How is dependency status determined?\n## Under what circumstances can a dependent student qualify for a dependency override?\n## For dependent students, who is a parent?\n# Completing the FAFSA\n## Who is required to provide information on the FAFSA?\n## What information do FAFSA contributors provide?\n## Which year’s tax information is used to calculate the SAI?\n## Are all applicants required to report assets on the FAFSA?\n# Calculating the SAI\n## When is eligibility for a maximum Pell Grant determined prior to calculating the SAI, and how do these determinations affect the SAI?\n## How many SAI formulas are there, and how do they vary?\n## What income does the SAI formula consider?\n## What assets does the SAI formula consider?\n## How are assets considered in the SAI formula?\n## How do college savings accounts affect the SAI?\n## How much do additional income or additional assets increase the SAI?\n# Other Issues","[{\"question\":\"What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?\",\"answer\":\"The SAI is a student-level indicator that estimates a family’s capacity to contribute to postsecondary education expenses. It is calculated from information provided on the FAFSA by students and applicable family members.\"},{\"question\":\"How is SAI used in the need analysis system for federal student aid?\",\"answer\":\"The SAI is part of the need analysis system used to determine eligibility for need-based student aid. An SAI of zero or less typically qualifies a student for the maximum amount of need-based federal aid, including a maximum Pell Grant.\"},{\"question\":\"What topics are covered in the FAQs?\",\"answer\":\"The FAQs are organized into five categories: Background and Terminology, Dependency Status, Completing the FAFSA, Calculating the SAI, and Other Issues. Other Issues includes the professional judgment process, connections to means-tested benefit programs, and recent legal changes.\"}]","Student Aid Index and Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Frequently Asked Questions | PDF",1792050144,48]