If you have two or more children in college at the same time and your aid offer shrank, the removal of the number-in-college adjustment is the likely reason.
What changed
| Old EFC | New SAI | |
|---|---|---|
| Parent contribution | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Divided by # in college (2) | $6,000 each | no division |
| Index per student | $6,000 | $12,000 |
Under the EFC, a $12,000 parent contribution split across two enrolled students became about $6,000 each. The SAI applies the full $12,000 to each student, so both students’ indexes roughly double.
Why it was removed
The FAFSA Simplification Act streamlined the formula and dropped the sibling discount. The trade-off is that low-income families gained from higher income protection allowances and the negative SAI floor, while middle-income families with several students in college at once often lost ground.
What you can still do
- Confirm each child’s dependency status - an independent sibling uses their own formula and income.
- Ask colleges whether they consider sibling enrollment in institutional aid (many private colleges do).
- Request a professional judgment review if your circumstances changed.
Estimate each student’s index separately with the SAI calculator. Background in number in college.
General information, not financial-aid advice. Verify at studentaid.gov. Source: 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide.