What Is a Good EFC Number on FAFSA?

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI) on the FAFSA. How the EFC is determined is similar to the SAI. However, unlike the EFC, a lower SAI is better if you’re hoping for more financial aid. For example, an SAI of 0 or lower often qualifies students for the maximum Pell Grant, while an SAI in the low thousands may still lead to need-based aid, depending on the school’s cost.

How Far Back Does FAFSA Look at Assets?

The FAFSA examines financial information from two years before the academic year for which you’re applying. So, if you’re applying for the 2025–26 school year, the FAFSA will assess income and assets from the 2023 tax year. This period is often referred to as the “prior-prior year.” The FAFSA considers wages, salaries, interest, dividends, business income, and certain government benefits. For assets, it looks at savings accounts, investments, real estate (not including your primary home), and the net worth of businesses or farms.