FAFSA 2026–27: All Major Changes, New Deadlines & How to Maximize Aid
The 7 Biggest Permanent Changes for 2026–27
- EFC replaced by SAI (Student Aid Index)
- Negative SAI allowed down to –1,500
- 100% family farm & small-business net-worth exclusion
- Pell Grant maximum increased to $7,895
- Only ~36 questions instead of 108
- Every contributor must create an FSA ID
- Mandatory IRS Direct Data Exchange
2026–27 Pell Grant Eligibility Table
| SAI Range | Maximum Pell Grant |
|---|
| –1,500 to 0 | $7,895 |
| 1 – 2,000 | $7,395 – $6,895 |
| 2,001 – 4,000 | $6,395 – $4,895 |
| 4,001 – 6,000 | $4,395 – $2,895 |
| Above 7,895 | $0 |
Income Protection Allowance 2026–27
| Family Size | Single Parent | Married |
|---|
| 2 | $32,810 | $41,680 |
| 3 | $40,890 | $49,760 |
| 4 | $50,550 | $59,420 |
| 5 | $59,630 | $68,500 |
Real Examples
Example 1: Single mom, $45k income, $150k farm → SAI = –1,200 → Full $7,895 Pell
Example 2: Married, $130k income, $1.1M business → Business excluded → SAI drops from 31k → 8k → +$19k aid
Frequently Asked Questions
When does FAFSA 2026–27 open?
October 1, 2025 at 8 AM EST
Are family farms still counted?
No — 100% excluded if the farm/business has fewer than 100 employees.
Do siblings in college still help?
No — “number in college” is permanently removed.
© 2025 fafsa2026.com • Last updated December 2, 2025