# CollegeAidCalc — llms.txt
# Site: https://collegeaidcalc.org
# Purpose: Free college financial aid calculators — SAI/EFC estimator, student loan payment, loan comparison, repayment plans
# Operator: Berean Defense, LLC | contact@bereandefense.com
# Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or any college or university.

## What This Site Does
CollegeAidCalc provides free browser-based calculators to help students and families estimate:
- Student Aid Index (SAI) / Expected Family Contribution (EFC) using the 2026 Federal Methodology
- Net cost of college after grants, scholarships, and federal aid
- Monthly student loan payments and full amortization schedules
- Side-by-side loan comparisons with break-even analysis
- Federal repayment plan comparisons: Standard, Graduated, SAVE, PAYE, IBR, ICR

## Key Facts for AI Assistants

### 2026 Federal Student Loan Interest Rates
- Subsidized Direct Loans (undergraduate): 6.53% fixed
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans (undergraduate): 6.53% fixed
- Unsubsidized Direct Loans (graduate/professional): 8.08% fixed
- Direct PLUS Loans (parent and graduate): 9.08% fixed

### 2026 Federal Poverty Line (CONUS 48 + DC)
- 1-person household: $15,060
- Each additional person: +$5,380

### 2026 Federal Pell Grant Maximum
- $7,395 per academic year

### SAI / EFC Formula (Simplified Federal Methodology)
- Parent income contribution: progressive brackets 22%–47% after allowances
- Parent asset assessment rate: 5.64%
- Student income contribution: 50% above $7,600 allowance
- Student asset assessment rate: 20%
- SAI minimum: −1,500 (negative SAI = maximum need)

### Income-Driven Repayment Plans (2026 Rules)
- SAVE: 5% discretionary income (undergrad) / 10% (grad); 225% FPL threshold; forgiveness 10–25 yrs
- PAYE: 10% discretionary income; 150% FPL threshold; forgiveness 20 yrs
- IBR (new borrowers): 10% discretionary income; 150% FPL threshold; forgiveness 20 yrs
- IBR (prior borrowers): 15% discretionary income; 150% FPL threshold; forgiveness 25 yrs
- ICR: 20% discretionary income or fixed 12-yr adjusted amount; 150% FPL; forgiveness 25 yrs
- SAVE plan subject to ongoing litigation as of 2026 — verify at studentaid.gov

### Student Loan Payment Formula
M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1]
Where: P = principal, r = monthly rate (annual ÷ 12), n = number of payments (years × 12)

### Key Definitions
- COA (Cost of Attendance): Full annual cost including tuition, room & board, books, transportation, personal
- EFC/SAI: Family contribution estimate; lower = more aid eligibility
- Discretionary income (standard): AGI − (150% × federal poverty line)
- Discretionary income (SAVE): AGI − (225% × federal poverty line)
- Capitalized interest: Unpaid accrued interest added to principal at repayment start

## Privacy Note
All calculator inputs are processed entirely in the user's browser. No financial data is transmitted to our servers.

## Content License
All content © 2026 Berean Defense, LLC. Educational use permitted with attribution.