College Aid Tool 2024-25
FAFSA EFC / SAI
Calculator
Estimate your Expected Family Contribution and see how much college financial aid you may qualify for.
🎓 FAFSA EFC Estimator
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Estimated EFC/SAI
$0
Financial Need
$0
College Cost (COA)
$0
Pell Grant Eligible
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What Is the FAFSA EFC?
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now called the Student Aid Index (SAI) — is a number the federal government calculates to determine how much your family can be expected to contribute toward college costs. The lower your EFC, the more financial aid you may qualify for. This FAFSA calculator gives you a simplified estimate based on the federal formula.
How Financial Need is Calculated
| Formula | Example |
|---|---|
| Cost of Attendance (COA) | $30,000 |
| Minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | −$10,000 |
| = Financial Need | $20,000 |
What Counts in the FAFSA Formula?
| Factor | Parent | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Income Assessment Rate | Up to 47% | 50% (over $7,600) |
| Asset Assessment Rate | Up to 5.64% | 20% |
| Retirement Accounts | Not counted | Not counted |
| Home Equity (primary) | Not counted | Not counted |
| 529 Plans (parent-owned) | Up to 5.64% | Parent rate applies |
💡 Tip: Maximize parent retirement accounts before filing FAFSA — 401k and IRA balances are NOT counted as assets in the formula!
Pell Grant Eligibility (2024-25)
| EFC Range | Pell Grant Estimate |
|---|---|
| $0 (Zero EFC) | Up to $7,395 (max) |
| $1 – $3,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| $3,001 – $6,000 | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Over $6,500 | Likely $0 Pell Grant |
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