FAFSA - SAI more than doubled between submission and processed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

When you submitted your FAFSA the confirmation page included an Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) number. I screen captured ours.

I think a lot of people didn't get their SAI initially? Many people had reported getting a message indicating that the SAI could not be calculated at the time of initial application submission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

What is the reason for submitting FAFSA if you are full pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

What is the reason for submitting FAFSA if you are full pay?

Access to loans, which have no income cap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

UVA and UNC are full need met for all students and are FAFSA schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

What is the reason for submitting FAFSA if you are full pay?

Access to loans, which have no income cap.

You're also helping your school with due diligence. If there is some non-Federal aid to give out, they may still need to confirm that the student is not Pell Grant eligible before awarding, etc.

[Anonymous]

Just guessing here, but could it be that your original SAI was per semester and then it doubled to give you the full year cost? I only remember seeing one SAI number when I submitted the FASFA and I've never received a second number so I'm just speculating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

UVA and UNC are full need met for all students and are FAFSA schools

After loans. UVA engineering instate is $48K COA. This family is expected to take the unsubsidized loan, and still fullpay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just guessing here, but could it be that your original SAI was per semester and then it doubled to give you the full year cost? I only remember seeing one SAI number when I submitted the FASFA and I've never received a second number so I'm just speculating.

Interesting. Maybe you're onto something. Also if your kid's FAFSA has been processed, you'll find the final SAI number as part of the FAFSA summary (your child might need to log in to see it...not sure if the parent sees it on their part of the portal).

[Anonymous]

Mine went down to 3002. What does it mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

UVA and UNC are full need met for all students and are FAFSA schools

After loans. UVA engineering instate is $48K COA. This family is expected to take the unsubsidized loan, and still fullpay.

48k instate. 73k out of state.


"We meet 100% of financial need. UVA meets the demonstrated financial need for all in-state and out-of-state students applying by the annual March 1st deadline, through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and need-based loans."

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine went down to 3002. What does it mean?

I think that's good from a loan and need perspective (grants/scholarships). I THINK that means the FAFSA estimates that you guys can contribute $3,002 toward college for SY 2024-2025, which means your student needs to come up with the rest. But that info is communicated to the the schools your child applied to and the hope is some of those schools will fall over themselves offering your child some financial assistance. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

UVA and UNC are full need met for all students and are FAFSA schools

After loans. UVA engineering instate is $48K COA. This family is expected to take the unsubsidized loan, and still fullpay.

48k instate. 73k out of state.


"We meet 100% of financial need. UVA meets the demonstrated financial need for all in-state and out-of-state students applying by the annual March 1st deadline, through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and need-based loans."

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

$49,874 in-state, $89,018-$90,378 OOS (difference is in travel costs) for UVA engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my daughter submitted her FAFSA in early January the estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) was 45109. Yesterday her FAFSA finally processed and now her SAI is listed at 95300. HOW?! How did it more than double. There were NO corrections made and I thought the delay in processing was to account appropriately (per statute) for inflation which should have meant a DECREASE in her SAI. What the hell?

Did you get alerted when your FAFSA was finally processed? Mine has been under review since 1/8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious...is the SAI going up good or bad?

Higher SAI means more family responsibility. But SAI at 45K is already receiving no Federal aid (beyond loan eligibility), so the discussion is moot.

It might be moot for an individual family but as a tax payer who has had to watch the Education Dept royally screw up the FAFSA process costing us millions and lots of time, I want to know that the calculation is accurate. I want an explanation for how a SAI can double when there were NO corrections made when FAFSA was submitted. The estimated SAI reported in January should have been reasonably reliable since the FAFSA pulled in filed taxes and the family just reported everything. To have a SAI come back that is more than double (especially after the ED needed to delay longer in order to apply the correct inflation to the calculation, meaning in theory that SAI should have gone down from the January estimate) just seems fishy.

What about if the COA is $85k and the school is a needs met school? Wouldn't they qualify for $40k in aid (including the $5500 in student loans)? I am very confused about this process so just trying to understand. Also, how is everyone getting two SAI numbers? We only got one today, when our FAFSA was finally processed.

Also, how does merit scholarships play into this? Let's say the COA is $30k and your sai is $15k. The schools offers you $5k in merit. So do you qualify for both the $5k in merit and $15k in need?

No, because no such school exists. You're talking about private schools and their methodology, a different ball of wax. Federal aid is capped far bellow $45K. With regard to FAFSA, OP was fullpay when submitted, and is fullpay today.

UVA and UNC are full need met for all students and are FAFSA schools

After loans. UVA engineering instate is $48K COA. This family is expected to take the unsubsidized loan, and still fullpay.

48k instate. 73k out of state.


"We meet 100% of financial need. UVA meets the demonstrated financial need for all in-state and out-of-state students applying by the annual March 1st deadline, through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and need-based loans."

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

$49,874 in-state, $89,018-$90,378 OOS (difference is in travel costs) for UVA engineering.

Yes, so if OP has an out-of-state student accepted to UVA, based on the preliminary number she might have thought the cost would be $50K (including loans), but the new number means the family has too much income and assets to qualify for any aid. She knew the re-calculation of poverty level had no bearing on their application, so there was no reason to imagine the number would go down. Regardless, there are ways to get a degree for $50K elsewhere. This a family that can do so or choose to pay $90K for UVA, the preliminary number was wrong.