Can a School Adjust the Student Aid Index Below –$1,500 Using Professional Judgment?
Award Year: 2024-25 KA-36626 Helpfulness Rating 78 page viewsThis guidance is specific to the 2024-25 award year and later.
No. According to U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) FAFSA Simplification Questions and Answers:
"SAI-Q1: Can an institution adjust the SAI of an applicant to below –1500 using professional judgment?
SAI-A1: No. An institution may use professional judgment to adjust FAFSA data elements, but the Department’s Federal Processing System (FPS) will never assign an SAI of less than –1500."
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