FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2026-27
The number behind your federal aid · estimator, formula, and Pell Grant eligibility.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is the figure the FAFSA produces to gauge how much a family can contribute to college costs. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) under the FAFSA Simplification Act. For the 2026-27 award year the SAI can range from -$1,500 to 999,999 - it can be negative, which the old EFC could not. A lower SAI means more need-based aid; an SAI of zero or below qualifies for the maximum Pell Grant of $7,395 (2026-27), while an SAI of $14,790 or more means no Pell. This is general information, not financial-aid advice.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate your Student Aid Index
Enter income, assets, household size and dependency status to estimate your 2026-27 SAI using the three published federal formulas. Each component is shown so you can see what drives the number.
Want the dollar award? Use the Pell Grant calculator with your SAI, cost of attendance and enrollment.
SAI vs EFC: what changed
| Feature | Old EFC | New SAI |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest possible value | $0 | -$1,500 (can be negative) |
| Number in college adjustment | Divided parent contribution by # in college | Removed - no division |
| Asset protection allowance | Age-based allowance (sheltered assets) | Effectively $0 for 2026-27 |
| Income protection allowance | Older, smaller tables | Updated, higher tables |
| What it determines | Need-based aid eligibility | Need-based aid + Pell pathways |
Read the full SAI vs EFC explainer.
Parents' income protection allowance (2026-27)
The income protection allowance (IPA) shelters a portion of income for basic living costs. For parents of a dependent student it depends only on household size (the old "number in college" adjustment was removed).
| Household size (incl. student) | Income protection allowance |
|---|---|
| 2 | $29,190 |
| 3 | $36,330 |
| 4 | $44,880 |
| 5 | $52,950 |
| 6 | $61,930 |
| each additional | +$6,990 |
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026.
See every table on the tables page and the full IPA tables.
How SAI maps to the Pell Grant
The Pell Grant award generally equals the maximum Pell ($7,395) minus your SAI, with a floor of the minimum ($740). An SAI of zero or below earns the maximum; an SAI of $14,790+ earns nothing. (Family AGI versus the poverty guideline can also award the max or min automatically.)
| Student Aid Index | Pell award (full-time, 2026-27) | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| -$1,500 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| $0 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| $2,000 | $5,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $4,000 | $3,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $6,000 | $1,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $6,655 | $740 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $10,000 | $0 | Only via automatic minimum-Pell AGI pathway |
Source: 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant Maximum and Minimum Award Amounts (Dear Colleague Letter, Jan 30 2026). Data as of June 2026.
See the full SAI-to-Pell table.
Explore
Estimate your Student Aid Index.
Pell calculatorEstimate your Pell Grant award.
ExplainersSAI, Pell, negative SAI, assets, timeline.
Reference tablesIPA, SAI-to-Pell, poverty guidelines.
BlogFAFSA explainers and 2026-27 updates.
MethodologySources, formulas, assumptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA?
The SAI is the number the FAFSA produces to measure your ability to pay for college. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024-25 year under the FAFSA Simplification Act. For 2026-27, the SAI can range from -$1,500 to 999,999. A lower SAI means more need-based aid; an SAI of zero or below qualifies for the maximum Pell Grant of $7,395.
How is SAI different from EFC?
The SAI keeps the same need-analysis structure as the old EFC but with key changes: the SAI can be negative (down to -$1,500), it no longer divides the parent contribution by the number of family members in college, it removed the asset protection allowance, and it uses new income protection allowance tables. The result is a more granular measure of need.
What is the maximum Pell Grant for 2026-27?
The maximum Pell Grant for the 2026-27 award year is $7,395 (unchanged from 2025-26), and the minimum is $740. You qualify for the maximum when your SAI is zero or negative, or via the automatic-max pathway based on family AGI versus the poverty guideline. An SAI of $14,790 or more (twice the maximum) means no Pell Grant.
Is the SAI on this site my official number?
No. This estimator implements the published 2026-27 SAI worksheet faithfully, but it is a general-information estimate and omits some line items. Your official SAI is calculated by the federal FAFSA processor from your submitted application. Always verify at studentaid.gov.
Sources & accuracy
Formulas and tables from the U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide and the Federal Register need-analysis notice; Pell amounts from the 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant Maximum and Minimum Award Amounts (Dear Colleague Letter, Jan 30 2026). Data as of June 2026 for the 2026-27 award year. Figures are estimates and general information, not financial-aid advice - your official SAI and aid are determined by the federal FAFSA processor and your school. Verify at studentaid.gov. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-22