It's a FAFSA and SAI Matter
"My student will have a job and pay their own expenses, so they're independent for FAFSA, right?" Wrong…and that mistake costs families thousands in aid eligibility every year.
In this episode, Laura breaks down the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Student Aid Index (SAI), and the dependency status rules that confuse almost everyone. You'll learn:
- What FAFSA actually does (and why everyone should file)
- How your SAI is calculated and what it means
- The only ways a student under 24 is considered independent
- Why parent income counts even if you're not contributing
- When to file FAFSA for maximum aid (priority deadlines)
This is the foundation for everything: federal aid, state grants, institutional scholarships, and Texas Promise Programs (covered in Episode 4).
File early. Understand your SAI. Don't leave money on the table.
