Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2026-27

Debbie Schwartz

Debbie Schwartz is a former financial services executive and founder of Road2College and the Paying For College 101 Facebook group. With an expertise in personal finance, analysis, and marketing, she's working to give families the information and tools they need to make smarter financial college decisions.

Articles by Debbie

Scholarships with October Deadlines

August 11, 2025

  Chicago Culinary Museum and Chef’s Hall of Fame Scholarship Amount: $500 Apply by: October 1, 2025 Description:  Open to…

How 2025 Student Aid Changes Could Reshape College Affordability

May 1, 2025

Big changes might be coming to the way students and parents pay for college. New proposals from lawmakers in Washington…

College Admissions 2024–2025: What’s Driving Record Highs and More Pressure on Families?

April 23, 2025

If you felt like the 2024 – 2025 college admissions cycle was the most stressful yet—you weren’t imagining it. This…

NIH Funding Cuts: What They Mean for Research and College Planning

March 10, 2025

The Trump administration’s recent NIH funding cuts and policy shifts have sparked intense debate in the higher education and research…

Understanding the Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2026-27

February 6, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 academic year is now open, bringing another round of…

2026-2027 FAFSA for Divorced or Separate Parents: What You Need to Know

November 15, 2024

The 2026–27 FAFSA is now open — earlier than usual — and families will notice a few tweaks on top…

CSS Profile Guide: How to Fill Out, When, and How to Submit

CSS Profile Guide: How to Fill Out, When, and How to Submit

November 8, 2024

Each year, the CSS Profile unlocks over $10 billion in non-federal aid for students, complementing the FAFSA in securing crucial…

Why You Should Fill Out FAFSA Even if You Don’t Qualify for Financial Aid

August 21, 2024

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves more purposes than most people realize, and you may miss out…