… parent(s). The results of your FAFSA (or CADAA) determine your … Student Aid Index (SAI) … . The SAI is the amount the government estimates you (and your parents, if you needed their information for your FAFSA/CADAA) can contribute to the cost of attending college. To determine the amount of financial aid you qualify for, we use the following formula: … COA – SAI = Unmet need … Financial aid reduces your unmet need, which is the gap between your Cost of …