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Select Class Shares | SA International Small Company Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return, Heading rr_RiskReturnHeading SA International Small Company Fund
Investment Objective, Heading rr_ObjectiveHeading Goal
Investment Objective, Primary rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The Fund’s goal is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The Fund pursues its goal by investing substantially all of its assets in the International Small Company Portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (the “DFA Portfolio”), a separate registered investment company with the same investment objective and investment policies as the Fund.

Expense, Heading rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses
Expense, Narrative rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

Shareholder Fees, Caption rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses, Caption rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Class Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover, Heading rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

A mutual fund generally pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when mutual fund shares are held in a taxable account. The Fund does not pay transaction costs when buying and selling shares of the DFA Portfolio and the DFA Portfolio does not pay transaction costs when buying and selling shares of the Underlying Funds (as defined below); however, each of the Underlying Funds pay transaction costs when buying and selling securities for its portfolio. The transaction costs incurred by the Underlying Funds, which are not reflected in Annual Class Operating Expenses or in the expense example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 6% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 6.00%
Expense Example, Heading rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Expense Example
Expense Example, Narrative rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This expense example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Investment Strategy, Heading rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategies
Investment Strategy, Narrative rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Instead of buying securities directly, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the DFA Portfolio, which is managed by the Sub-Adviser and has the same investment objective and investment policies as the Fund. The DFA Portfolio seeks to provide investors with access to securities portfolios consisting of a broad range of equity securities of primarily small Japanese, United Kingdom, European (including the Mediterranean), Asia Pacific and Canadian companies. The DFA Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in: The Japanese Small Company Series (the “Japanese Series”), The United Kingdom Small Company Series (the “United Kingdom Series”), The Continental Small Company Series (the “Continental Series”), The Asia Pacific Small Company Series (the “Asia Pacific Series”) and The Canadian Small Company Series (the “Canadian Series”) (each an “Underlying Fund” and together, the “Underlying Funds”), each of which is a series of The DFA Investment Trust Company. From time to time, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Sub-Adviser”) may add or remove Underlying Funds in the DFA Portfolio without notice to shareholders. Each Underlying Fund invests in small companies using a market capitalization weighted approach in each country or region designated by the Sub-Adviser as an approved market for investment. In general, this means that the higher the relative market capitalization of the issuer within an eligible country or region, the greater its representation in the Underlying Fund. The Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, adjust the representation in the Underlying Funds of an eligible company, or exclude an eligible company, after considering such factors as free float (a company’s share capital that is freely available for trading), size, value, profitability, trading strategies, liquidity, momentum, investment characteristics and other factors that the Sub-Adviser determines to be appropriate. The Sub-Adviser considers value stocks primarily to be those of companies with a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing value, the Sub-Adviser may consider additional factors such as price-to-cash flow or price-to-earnings ratios. In assessing profitability, the Sub-Adviser may consider different ratios, such as earnings or profits from operations relative to book value or assets. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Sub-Adviser may consider ratios such as recent changes in assets or book value scaled by assets or book value. The criteria the Sub-Adviser uses for assessing value, profitability or investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The DFA Portfolio also may have some exposure to small cap equity securities associated with other countries or regions. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund, through its investments in the DFA Portfolio and, indirectly, the Underlying Funds, will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small companies.

As of August 31, 2019, the DFA Portfolio invested its assets in the Underlying Funds within the following ranges (expressed as a percentage of the DFA Portfolio’s assets):

Underlying Fund   Investment Range
Japanese Series   10% - 35%
United Kingdom Series   10% - 30%
Continental Series   25% - 50%
Asia Pacific Series   5% - 25%
Canadian Series   5% - 20%

The allocation of the assets of the DFA Portfolio to be invested in the Underlying Funds will be determined by the Sub-Adviser on at least a semi-annual basis. The Underlying Funds invest primarily in countries that the Sub-Adviser views as developed market countries. Each Underlying Fund may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.

The DFA Portfolio and the Underlying Funds are advised by the Sub-Adviser. For as long as the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the DFA Portfolio, the

Sub-Adviser will not receive any sub-advisory fee from the Fund for its sub-advisory services. The Sub-Adviser receives an investment management fee from the DFA Portfolio for the services the Sub-Adviser provides to the DFA Portfolio. The Sub-Adviser also receives investment management fees for providing investment management services to the Underlying Funds. The Sub-Adviser has agreed to this fee arrangement in order to prevent duplication of advisory fees to the Sub-Adviser.

The Fund may withdraw its investment in the DFA Portfolio at any time if the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. If this happens, the Fund’s assets either will be invested in another mutual fund or will be invested directly according to the investment policies and restrictions described in this Prospectus.

Strategy Portfolio Concentration rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Instead of buying securities directly, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the DFA Portfolio, which is managed by the Sub-Adviser and has the same investment objective and investment policies as the Fund. The DFA Portfolio seeks to provide investors with access to securities portfolios consisting of a broad range of equity securities of primarily small Japanese, United Kingdom, European (including the Mediterranean), Asia Pacific and Canadian companies. The DFA Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in: The Japanese Small Company Series (the “Japanese Series”), The United Kingdom Small Company Series (the “United Kingdom Series”), The Continental Small Company Series (the “Continental Series”), The Asia Pacific Small Company Series (the “Asia Pacific Series”) and The Canadian Small Company Series (the “Canadian Series”) (each an “Underlying Fund” and together, the “Underlying Funds”), each of which is a series of The DFA Investment Trust Company. From time to time, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Sub-Adviser”) may add or remove Underlying Funds in the DFA Portfolio without notice to shareholders. Each Underlying Fund invests in small companies using a market capitalization weighted approach in each country or region designated by the Sub-Adviser as an approved market for investment. In general, this means that the higher the relative market capitalization of the issuer within an eligible country or region, the greater its representation in the Underlying Fund. The Sub-Adviser may, in its discretion, adjust the representation in the Underlying Funds of an eligible company, or exclude an eligible company, after considering such factors as free float (a company’s share capital that is freely available for trading), size, value, profitability, trading strategies, liquidity, momentum, investment characteristics and other factors that the Sub-Adviser determines to be appropriate. The Sub-Adviser considers value stocks primarily to be those of companies with a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing value, the Sub-Adviser may consider additional factors such as price-to-cash flow or price-to-earnings ratios. In assessing profitability, the Sub-Adviser may consider different ratios, such as earnings or profits from operations relative to book value or assets. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Sub-Adviser may consider ratios such as recent changes in assets or book value scaled by assets or book value. The criteria the Sub-Adviser uses for assessing value, profitability or investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The DFA Portfolio also may have some exposure to small cap equity securities associated with other countries or regions. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Fund, through its investments in the DFA Portfolio and, indirectly, the Underlying Funds, will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small companies.
Risk, Heading rr_RiskHeading Principal Investment Risks
Risk, Narrative rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

The share price of the Fund may change daily based on market conditions and other factors. Therefore, you may lose money if you invest in the Fund.

The principal risks that apply to the Fund are:

Fund of Funds Risk: The investment performance of the Fund is affected by the investment performance of the DFA Portfolio and, indirectly, the investment performance of the Underlying Funds. In addition, the Fund’s net asset value is subject to the fluctuations in the net asset value of the DFA Portfolio and, indirectly, the net asset values of the Underlying Funds. The ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective depends: on the ability of the DFA Portfolio and the Underlying Funds to meet their investment objectives, on the Sub-Adviser’s decisions regarding the allocation of the DFA Portfolio’s assets among the Underlying Funds, and the Sub-Adviser’s selection of securities for the Underlying Funds. The extent to which the investment performance and risks associated with the Fund correlates to those of a particular Underlying Fund will depend upon the extent to which the DFA Portfolio’s assets are allocated from time to time for investment in the Underlying Fund, which will vary. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund, the DFA Portfolio or any Underlying Fund will be achieved. Duplication of expenses is a risk when a fund invests in other investment companies. When the DFA Portfolio invests in Underlying Funds, investors are subject to their proportionate share of the expenses of these Underlying Funds in addition to the expenses of the DFA Portfolio and the Fund. The cost of investing in the Fund, therefore, may be higher than the cost of investing in a mutual fund that invests directly in individual stocks and bonds. As the DFA Portfolio’s allocation to the Underlying Funds changes from time to time, or to the extent that the expense ratios of the DFA Portfolio or the Underlying Funds change, the operating expenses of the DFA Fund and the Underlying Funds borne by the Fund may increase or decrease.
   
Market Risk: The value of the securities in which the Underlying Funds invest may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies, general economic or market conditions, and/or investor behavior that leads investors’ perceptions of value (as reflected in the stock price) to diverge from fundamental value.
   
Small Company Stock Risk: The stocks of small companies may involve more risks than those of larger companies. Small companies often have narrower markets and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result they may be more sensitive to changing economic conditions, which could increase the volatility of their share prices. In addition, small company stocks typically are traded in lower volume, making them more difficult to purchase or sell at the desired time and price or in the desired amount. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks.
   
Foreign Securities and Currency Risk: Foreign securities involve risks in addition to those associated with comparable U.S. securities. Additional risks may include exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets; social, political or economic instability; nationalization or expropriation of assets; currency controls or redenomination; changes in tax policy; high transaction costs; settlement, custodial or other operational risks; and less stringent accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices. As a result, foreign securities can fluctuate more widely in price, and may also be less liquid, than comparable U.S. securities. Values of securities denominated in foreign currencies also may be negatively affected by changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. The Underlying Funds do not hedge foreign currency risk.
   
European Economic Risk: The European Union’s (“EU”) Economic and Monetary Union requires member countries to comply with restrictions on interest rates, deficits, debt levels, inflation rates and other factors, each of which may significantly impact every European country. The economies of EU member countries and their trading partners may be adversely affected by changes in the Euro’s exchange rate, changes in EU or governmental regulations on trade, and the threat of default or default by an EU member country on its sovereign debt, which could negatively impact the Fund’s investments and cause it to lose money. In June 2016, citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU in a popular referendum (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). In addition, the United Kingdom subsequently invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which triggered a two-year period of negotiations on the terms of Brexit. The initial two-year period has been extended and it is possible that the negotiation period may be further extended; however, it remains unclear whether negotiations will be successful and what form the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the EU will take. Brexit may have a significant impact on the economies of the United Kingdom and Europe as well as the broader global economy, which may cause increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in these markets. In addition, other member states may contemplate departing the EU, which would likely perpetuate political and economic instability in the region and cause additional market disruption in global financial markets.
   
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves possible delay in recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. As a result, the value of the Underlying Fund shares (and, indirectly, the Fund shares) may fall. The value of the Underlying Fund shares (and, indirectly, the Fund shares) could also fall if a loan is called and the Underlying Fund is required to liquidate reinvested collateral at a loss or if the Underlying Fund is unable to reinvest cash collateral at rates which exceed the costs involved.
   
Sector Risk: Companies with similar characteristics may be grouped together in broad categories called sectors. The Fund may be overweight in certain sectors at various times. To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in a particular sector, its performance will be especially sensitive to any economic, business, regulatory or other developments which generally affect that sector. Individual sectors may underperform other sectors or the market as a whole.
   
Cybersecurity Risk: Cybersecurity breaches may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Cyber-attacks affecting the Fund, any of its service providers or any issuer in which the Fund invests may adversely impact the Fund.
   
Management Risk: The investment techniques and risk analyses applied by the Sub-Adviser may not produce the desired results. Furthermore, legislative, regulatory, or tax restrictions, policies, or developments may affect the investment techniques available to the Sub-Adviser in connection with managing the Fund. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.
Risk, Lose Money rr_RiskLoseMoney The share price of the Fund may change daily based on market conditions and other factors. Therefore, you may lose money if you invest in the Fund.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance, Narrative rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns for certain time periods compare to those of a broad-based securities market index. The past performance information shown below for periods prior to July 3, 2017 (the commencement of operations for Select Class shares) is for Investor Class shares, which are not available through this Prospectus. Although Investor Class shares would have similar annual returns to Select Class shares because the classes are invested in the same portfolio of securities, the returns for Select Class shares will vary from Investor Class shares because of the lower expenses paid by Select Class shares.

 

The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting http://www.sa-funds.com.

Performance, Information Illustrates Variability of Returns rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns for certain time periods compare to those of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Availability Website Address rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.sa-funds.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Annual Total Returns – Select Class Shares (per calendar year)
Bar Chart, Closing rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

The year-to-date return through the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2019 was 10.19%.

Highest/lowest quarterly return during the periods shown:

    Quarter Ended   Total Return
Best Quarter     3/31/2018     (0.51)%
Worst Quarter     12/31/2018     (16.64)%
Year to Date Return, Label rr_YearToDateReturnLabel year-to-date return
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return, Date rr_BarChartYearToDateReturnDate Sep. 30, 2019
Bar Chart, Year to Date Return rr_BarChartYearToDateReturn 10.19%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Mar. 31, 2018
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn (0.51%)
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2018
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.64%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2018)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table, One Class of after Tax Shown rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns for Select Class shares will vary from Investor Class shares because of the lower expenses paid by Select Class shares.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In certain situations, the “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than the other return figures for the same period. A higher after-tax return can occur when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and translates into an assumed tax deduction that benefits the shareholder. After-tax returns are shown for Investor Class shares. After-tax returns for Select Class shares will vary from Investor Class shares because of the lower expenses paid by Select Class shares. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

Select Class Shares | SA International Small Company Fund | MSCI World Ex. U.S. Small Cap Index (net div.)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (18.07%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.25%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.06%
Select Class Shares | SA International Small Company Fund | Class S  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Sales charge (load) imposed on purchases rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther none
Redemption fee rr_RedemptionFee none
Exchange fee rr_ExchangeFee none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.25%
Shareholder servicing fee rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.05%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.22%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses rr_AcquiredFundFeesAndExpensesOverAssets 0.54%
Total annual operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.06%
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 108
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 338
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 587
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,299
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 40.33%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 22.65%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (16.31%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 17.56%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 26.04%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 (7.36%)
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 4.77%
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 4.79%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 29.01%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (19.83%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (19.83%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.96%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.39%
Select Class Shares | SA International Small Company Fund | Class S | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (21.07%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.05%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.65%
Select Class Shares | SA International Small Company Fund | Class S | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (10.69%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.81%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.81%