Financial Need

Financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need, which is the difference between the total estimated cost of attendance (COA) and Student Aid Index (SAI).

A financial aid budget (COA) is assigned to each student. This budget reflects tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal expenses and transportation.

The SAI is calculated by the U.S. Federal Processor using information submitted by the student and/or family on the FAFSA. This information is put through a series of congressionally mandated formulas. The SAI is made up of both a student contribution (SC) and a parent contribution (PC). This SAI only applies to the academic year of the FAFSA and a new FAFSA must be completed for each academic year. The SAI is a guideline used in determining your eligibility for financial aid and does not reflect the actual amount that must be paid by the student and/or the student’s family.