Eligibility For Need Based Aid

Determining Eligibility for Need-Based Aid

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated using the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. The SAI is not a dollar amount of aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide. A negative SAI indicates the student has higher financial need.

The Student Aid Office establishes UM’s Cost of Attendance (COA) for the aid year.  This includes an estimate of tuition, fees, room, board, transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses. Need-based aid is financial aid you can receive if you have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria. You can’t receive more need-based aid than the amount of your financial need.

Need determines what type of federal aid the student is eligible to receive.