Financial Aid Calculator

Estimate your Student Aid Index (SAI) for the 2027–2028 school year

Getting Started

First we need to collect some information about the household to determine how to calculate the student's SAI

Student Status

Is the student independent?

Household Information

State of Residence

Select a state

Number in the Family

Results

Parents' Contribution

Student's Contribution

Your estimated Student Aid Index

The difference between the cost of college and the SAI determines the student's eligibility for need-based financial aid.

	2-Year Public College	4-Year Public College (In-state)	4-Year Private College
National Average Cost*	$21,320	$30,990	$65,470
Your Estimated SAI (Federal Methodology)	$0	$0	$0
Estimated Financial Need	0	0	0

*National Average Costs Include Tuition & Fees, Housing & Food, Books & Supplies, Transportation & Other Expenses.

Source: College Board 2025

Financial Aid Perspective

This calculator estimates the SAI based on the latest Federal Methodology published by the Department of Education (ED) in the 2027-28 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide released in June 2026.
Some schools may require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA and may use their own Institutional Methodology to award institutional funds.
Remember, financial need is often met by a combination of different types of aid and sometimes through more loans than grants or scholarships. There is no guarantee that the full financial need will be met.
about Financial Aid and the FAFSA