Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is a formula-based index number ranging from –1500 to 999999. Where your SAI falls within the SAI range helps your school determine how much financial support you may need. 

A negative SAI indicates you have a higher financial need. For example, if you have an SAI of –1500, you’ll qualify for a maximum Pell Grant award assuming you have not exhausted your lifetime amounts and meet all student eligibility requirements. Learn how the SAI is calculated.

Your SAI is not a dollar amount of aid you’ll receive, what your family is expected to provide, or your final financial aid offer. 

Your SAI is an index number used by financial aid professionals when creating an aid offer. Your SAI is calculated using information that you (and other contributors, if required) provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.

During your aid process, you will see the following: an estimated SAI on the confirmation page of your FAFSA form an official SAI within your FAFSA Submission Summary (after your FAFSA form is processed)

Follow these steps to find your SAI:

• Log in to StudentAid.gov using your account username and password.
• Select your processed FAFSA submission.
• Select “View FAFSA Submission Summary.”
• Select the “Eligibility Overview” tab.

Need-based aid is financial aid that is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Students cannot receive more need-based aid than the amount of their financial need. For example, if the COA is $16,000 and the SAI is $12,000, financial need is $4,000 (COA minus SAI). This means the student would only be able to receive $4,000 worth of need-based funding.

The following are the need-based federal student aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Direct Subsidized Loan
• Federal Work Study

Non-need-based aid is financial aid that is not based on a student’s SAI. For example, if the COA is $16,000 and need-based aid totals $4,000, up to $12,000 could be non-need-based aid.

The following are examples of non-need-based federal student aid programs:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal PLUS Loan

 

Courses Not Used (CNUs) are courses that are not needed to complete your declared major. Federal Student Aid (FSA) and most State financial aid cannot be awarded to pay for CNUs. Taking courses that are not a part of your program of study could result in receiving less Federal Student Aid and potentially having to pay for courses out-of-pocket. 

It is very important for students to meet with their Academic Advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure students are only enrolling in courses that lead to degree completion for their declared major. Students can review their degree requirements in PeopleSoft by selecting the Academic Records tile. The My Academic Requirements page will show all of the courses needed to complete a major. The CNU section will be at the very bottom of the My Academic Requirements page. Change of Major Forms submitted after the start of the current semester will not take effect for Financial Aid purposes until the following academic semester. If a Change of Major is needed, please work with your academic advisor to submit as soon as possible prior to the start of the semester in which you plan to take courses for that major.

The Financial Aid Office will notify students of their CNUs and any required action needed by the student via the student’s myFCC email account. Students are encouraged to check their myFCC email frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions about Courses Not Used (CNUs)

What are CNUs?
Courses Not Used (CNUs) are courses that are not needed to complete your declared major.

Does Financial Aid Cover CNUs?
Federal Student Aid (FSA) and most State financial aid cannot be awarded to pay for CNUs. Taking courses that are not a part of your program of study could result in receiving less Federal Student Aid and potentially having to pay for courses out-of-pocket. 

Meet with an Advisor to Avoid CNUs
It is important for students to meet with their Academic Advisor prior to registering for courses each semester to ensure they are only enrolling in courses that lead to degree completion for their declared major.

Check your PeopleSoft Degree Plan
Students can review their degree requirements in PeopleSoft to check for CNUs that are in progress.

1. Login to PeopleSoft.
2. Select the Academic Records tile.
3. The My Academic Requirements page will show all of the courses needed to complete a major.
4. The Courses Not Used section will be at the very bottom of the My Academic Requirements page.
5. If you are registered for classes that are under Courses Not Used, meet with your advisor to discuss your degree plan.

Change of Major
To change your major, submit a Change of Major Form. In order for your Change of Major to be processed, you must submit the form and meet with an advisor to review degree requirements and discuss your academic and career goals. 

Change of Major Forms submitted after the start of the current semester will not take effect for Financial Aid purposes until the following academic semester. If a Change of Major is needed, please work with your academic advisor to submit as soon as possible prior to the start of the semester in which you plan to take courses for that major.

Notification of CNUs and Financial Aid Status
The Financial Aid Office will notify students of their CNUs and any required action needed by the student via the student’s myFCC email account. Students are encouraged to check their myFCC email frequently.