Students must show "financial need" to receive federal, state, and private financial aid. When a student completes the FAFSA, the Federal Department of Education uses a formula to determine a student's Student Aid Index (formerly the Expected Family Contribution). The Financial Aid Office uses your SAI number to determine your eligibility for different types of financial aid.
Calculating your financial need
Cost of Attendance (COA) - Student Aid Index = Financial Need
Need-based aid is financial aid you can receive if you have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria. You can't accept more need-based aid than the amount of your financial need.
The following are examples of federal need-based student aid programs:
The following are examples of federal non-need-based student aid programs: