Estimate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now known as your Student Aid Index (SAI) — and your potential Pell Grant eligibility. This tool provides a simplified, fast estimate using core FAFSA variables: income, assets, and dependents in college.
This calculator provides an unofficial estimate of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now called the Student Aid Index (SAI) — and your potential eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant. While the real FAFSA uses a highly detailed formula with dozens of variables, this simplified version helps you quickly understand where you may fall within the federal aid range.
Colleges and universities use the SAI to determine your eligibility for:
The full FAFSA formula includes:
This calculator provides a simplified version based on the most influential factors: income, assets, and number of dependents in college. While not a replacement for the official FAFSA, it gives you a realistic preview of your aid outcome.
EFC ≈ (Income × 0.22) + (Assets × 0.12)
÷ Dependents in College
This approximation mirrors the income and asset assessment portions of the FAFSA formula. The official model includes additional allowances and protections that may lower your actual SAI.
• Federal Student Aid – Official U.S. Department of Education
• ED Knowledge Center: FAFSA & Pell Grant Tables
This is an unofficial educational tool and does not calculate your exact SAI. Always submit your official FAFSA at studentaid.gov to obtain your accurate aid eligibility.