The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number used by college financial aid administrators to measure families’ ability to pay for college. It’s part of the process of determining how much need-based financial aid your student is eligible to receive. SAI will be the new name for what was previously known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and it will go into effect on July 1, 2023, along with many other changes to the FAFSA and college financial aid process. Learn more about SAI, how it works, and what’s changing in my quick overview article.
Blog Posts
The 5 Types of Federal Financial Aid
Most college financial aid and loans are based on federal grants, funds, and subsidies provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
There are a total of five types of federal financial aid, and it’s important to understand each one, whether it will be available to your family, and what it might mean for you.
Fall is the Time for College Visits (And Here’s Why)
The fall season is one of the best times to visit colleges, but many families blow this crucial opportunity. Here’s how to get it right with quick tips on college visit planning for high school seniors, juniors, freshmen and sophomores.
9 Things You Should Know About Private Student Loans
Some families use government loans to help pay for college, but they might not cover all your costs or provide the best possible interest rates. In this article, we’ll explore private student loans, how they work, and how to determine if they’re a good strategy or alternative for your family.
6 Things That Should Be On Your College Planning Calendar
Do you have the right dates and events on your college planning calendar? Here are the 6 categories of events and to-dos you should include, so you can get organized, get on the right track, avoid conflicts, and reduce the stress of college planning.
When College Will Be More Complicated for Your Family
Planning for college is a major task for every student and family, but if you’re in one of 11 key categories, it gets more complicated. In this blog article, I’ll show you the categories of families and students where college planning gets more completed, how things will be different for financial aid and important tasks you need to complete, and the challenges and opportunities available to you.