Índice de Ayuda Estudiantil (SAI). Keep the abbreviation SAI because it appears in StudentAid.gov records and school communications.
Plain-language definition
The SAI is an index number calculated from information on the FAFSA form. Federal Student Aid states that it can range from –1500 to 999999. A lower number generally signals greater financial need.
What the SAI is not
- It is not the amount of federal aid you will receive.
- It is not the amount your family is required to pay.
- It is not a bill or a final financial aid offer.
- It does not guarantee a particular grant, loan, or school award.
How schools use it
A school uses the SAI with its cost of attendance and other aid information to calculate financial need and prepare an aid offer. The same federal SAI can lead to different offers at different schools because costs, available funds, and institutional aid vary.
Where to find it
After the FAFSA form is processed, log in to StudentAid.gov, open the processed submission, select “View FAFSA Submission Summary,” and review the “Eligibility Overview” tab. If no SAI appears or the information is wrong, review the Next Steps and FAFSA answers before contacting the school.
Related terms
- FAFSA Submission Summary: the processed summary containing FAFSA answers, next steps, and the official federal SAI when calculated.
- Cost of attendance: the school’s estimated yearly cost used in aid calculations.
- Financial aid offer: the actual grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans offered by a school.
- Verification: a school-administered review of selected FAFSA information.
Official sources
- Federal Student Aid — Financial aid dictionary
- Federal Student Aid — The Student Aid Index explained
- Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Submission Summary