FAFSA Income Eligibility Calculator (Estimated SAI)
Dependent
Independent
Parent Information (for Dependent Students)
Your Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) will appear here.
function toggleParentFields() {
var dependencyStatus = document.getElementById('dependencyStatus').value;
var parentFields = document.getElementById('parentFields');
if (dependencyStatus === 'independent') {
parentFields.style.display = 'none';
// Reset parent values when hidden to avoid affecting calculation
document.getElementById('parentAGI').value = '0';
document.getElementById('parentAssets').value = '0';
} else {
parentFields.style.display = 'block';
}
}
function calculateSAI() {
// Get input values
var studentAGI = parseFloat(document.getElementById('studentAGI').value);
var studentAssets = parseFloat(document.getElementById('studentAssets').value);
var dependencyStatus = document.getElementById('dependencyStatus').value;
var parentAGI = parseFloat(document.getElementById('parentAGI').value);
var parentAssets = parseFloat(document.getElementById('parentAssets').value);
var householdSize = parseInt(document.getElementById('householdSize').value);
var collegeStudents = parseInt(document.getElementById('collegeStudents').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(studentAGI) || studentAGI < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Student's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).");
return;
}
if (isNaN(studentAssets) || studentAssets < 0) {
alert("Please enter valid Student's Total Assets.");
return;
}
if (dependencyStatus === 'dependent') {
if (isNaN(parentAGI) || parentAGI < 0) {
alert("Please enter valid Parents' Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).");
return;
}
if (isNaN(parentAssets) || parentAssets < 0) {
alert("Please enter valid Parents' Total Assets.");
return;
}
}
if (isNaN(householdSize) || householdSize < 1) {
alert("Please enter a valid Number of People in Household (at least 1).");
return;
}
if (isNaN(collegeStudents) || collegeStudents householdSize) {
alert("Number of college students cannot exceed the total household size.");
return;
}
var totalStudentContribution = 0;
var totalParentContribution = 0;
// — Student Contribution Calculation —
// Student Income Protection Allowance (SIPA) – simplified, actual FAFSA varies
var studentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 7600; // Approximate for 2024-25
var studentAvailableIncome = Math.max(0, studentAGI – studentIncomeProtectionAllowance);
var studentIncomeContribution = studentAvailableIncome * 0.50; // 50% of discretionary income
// Student Asset Contribution
// Student assets have no protection allowance in SAI calculation, 20% contribution rate
var studentAssetContribution = studentAssets * 0.20;
totalStudentContribution = studentIncomeContribution + studentAssetContribution;
// — Parent Contribution Calculation (if dependent) —
if (dependencyStatus === 'dependent') {
// Parent Income Protection Allowance (PIPA) – simplified approximation
// Actual FAFSA PIPA tables are complex and depend on household size and number in college.
// This is a rough estimate for demonstration purposes.
var parentIncomeProtectionAllowance;
if (householdSize === 2) { // e.g., single parent + 1 student
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 20000;
} else if (householdSize === 3) { // e.g., two parents + 1 student OR single parent + 2 students
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 25000;
} else if (householdSize === 4) { // e.g., two parents + 2 students OR single parent + 3 students
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 30000;
} else if (householdSize === 5) {
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 35000;
} else if (householdSize === 6) {
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 40000;
} else { // Fallback for larger or smaller households
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = 15000 + (householdSize * 5000);
}
// Adjust for multiple college students (reduces IPA slightly as more income is 'available' for contribution)
// This is a simplification; actual FAFSA logic is more nuanced.
if (collegeStudents > 1) {
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance -= (collegeStudents – 1) * 2000;
}
parentIncomeProtectionAllowance = Math.max(0, parentIncomeProtectionAllowance); // Ensure it's not negative
var parentAvailableIncome = Math.max(0, parentAGI – parentIncomeProtectionAllowance);
// Parent Income Contribution Rate – simplified average, actual is progressive (20-47%)
var parentIncomeContribution = parentAvailableIncome * 0.30; // Using 30% as a simplified average
// Parent Asset Protection Allowance (PAPA) – simplified, actual depends on age of older parent
// For simplicity, using a fixed allowance. Actual FAFSA tables are complex.
var parentAssetProtectionAllowance = 25000; // A common approximate value
var parentAvailableAssets = Math.max(0, parentAssets – parentAssetProtectionAllowance);
var parentAssetContribution = parentAvailableAssets * 0.0564; // 5.64% contribution rate
totalParentContribution = parentIncomeContribution + parentAssetContribution;
// If more than one student in college, parental contribution is divided
if (collegeStudents > 1) {
totalParentContribution /= collegeStudents;
}
}
var estimatedSAI = totalStudentContribution + totalParentContribution;
// SAI can be a negative number, down to -1500
estimatedSAI = Math.max(-1500, estimatedSAI);
// Display result
var resultElement = document.getElementById('result');
resultElement.innerHTML = "Your Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI): $" + estimatedSAI.toFixed(2) + "";
resultElement.innerHTML += "This is an estimate of what your family may be expected to contribute towards college costs for one academic year. A lower SAI generally indicates higher eligibility for need-based financial aid.";
if (estimatedSAI <= 0) {
resultElement.innerHTML += "An SAI of $0 or less often indicates eligibility for the maximum Pell Grant award, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met.";
}
}
// Initialize parent fields visibility on page load
window.onload = toggleParentFields;
Understanding FAFSA and Your Student Aid Index (SAI)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and federal student loans. To determine your eligibility for this aid, the U.S. Department of Education calculates your Student Aid Index (SAI).
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that colleges use to determine how much federal student aid you are eligible to receive. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024-2025 aid year. The SAI is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal aid you will receive. Instead, it's an index number that helps financial aid offices calculate your financial need.
A lower SAI generally indicates a higher level of financial need and, consequently, eligibility for more need-based aid. The SAI can even be a negative number, down to -1500, which signifies the highest level of financial need.
Key Factors Influencing Your SAI
The FAFSA collects detailed financial information to calculate your SAI. The primary factors include:
Student's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): This is a significant component. A portion of your student's discretionary income is expected to contribute to college costs.
Student's Assets: This includes cash, savings, checking accounts, and investments. Student assets are assessed at a higher rate than parent assets.
Parents' Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): For dependent students, parental income is a major factor. The FAFSA considers a portion of parents' discretionary income.
Parents' Assets: This includes cash, savings, checking accounts, and investments. Certain assets, like the family's primary home and retirement accounts, are generally excluded from this calculation.
Dependency Status: Whether a student is considered dependent or independent significantly impacts the calculation. Independent students do not include parent financial information.
Household Size: The number of people in your household affects income protection allowances. A larger household generally means a lower SAI.
Number of College Students in Household: If there are multiple students from the same household attending college, the parental contribution portion of the SAI is divided among them, potentially lowering the individual SAI for each student.
What Assets Are NOT Counted?
It's important to know that not all assets are included in the SAI calculation. Generally, the following are excluded:
Small businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees where the family owns more than 50%.
Family farms where the family lives on and operates the farm.
How This Calculator Works (Simplified)
This calculator provides an estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI) based on common FAFSA methodologies. It simplifies the complex official FAFSA calculation by using approximate contribution rates and allowances for income and assets. The actual FAFSA calculation involves detailed tables and formulas that can vary slightly year to year.
Please note: This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for completing the official FAFSA. Your actual SAI will be determined by the U.S. Department of Education after you submit your FAFSA.
Examples of SAI Calculation
Example 1: Dependent Student with Moderate Income
Student AGI: $5,000
Student Assets: $1,000
Parents AGI: $70,000
Parents Assets: $15,000
Household Size: 4
College Students: 1
Estimated SAI: Approximately $7,000 – $10,000 (This would vary based on exact allowances, but gives a range)
Interpretation: This SAI suggests some financial need, likely qualifying for federal loans and potentially some grants depending on the cost of attendance.
Example 2: Independent Student with Low Income
Student AGI: $15,000
Student Assets: $500
Dependency Status: Independent
Household Size: 1 (student only)
College Students: 1
Estimated SAI: Approximately $0 – $1,500
Interpretation: A very low or negative SAI indicates high financial need, making the student eligible for significant need-based aid, potentially including the maximum Pell Grant.
Example 3: Dependent Student with Higher Income and Assets
Student AGI: $2,000
Student Assets: $500
Parents AGI: $150,000
Parents Assets: $70,000
Household Size: 4
College Students: 1
Estimated SAI: Approximately $20,000 – $30,000
Interpretation: A higher SAI suggests less financial need according to federal formulas. This student might primarily qualify for unsubsidized federal loans, with grants being less likely unless the college's cost of attendance is very high.
Use the calculator above to get your own estimated SAI and better understand your potential for federal financial aid.