Determining Financial Aid

The following formula is used to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid:

Cost of attendance – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial need


Cost of attendance

The student expense budgets are used to calculate financial aid eligibility as well as to provide students and their families with a reasonable estimate of the cost of attendance at Carl Sandburg College. These student budgets include the allowance for tuition, living costs, books and supplies, transportation, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Budget components are reasonable yet modest costs based on surveying segments of our student population. 

Student Aid Index

The student aid index is the amount students and their families are expected to contribute toward the cost of a student's education. The student aid index is based on total income and assets as reported on the family's U.S. income tax returns, family size, number of family members in college and an allowance for basic living expenses. There are websites to aid you in obtaining an estimate of your student aid index, such as Finaid.org

Financial need

The difference between the cost of attendance and the student aid index is considered a financial need. The Financial Aid Office will assist students and their families in trying to meet their financial needs by offering a combination of grants, scholarships, loans and employment opportunities.