This is such a frustrating situation, but you're definitely not alone! The new FAFSA system has been causing these dramatic SAI jumps for so many families this year. Based on what you've shared about having a family business, that's very likely where the problem lies. The business valuation can have an enormous impact on your SAI calculation, and there are several ways it can go wrong in the system: 1. Business assets being double-counted (once as business value, again as personal assets) 2. Business income being treated as both taxed and untaxed income 3. The business net worth calculation including things it shouldn't (like equipment that's already depreciated) Before you spend hours on hold with FSA, I'd suggest downloading your detailed SAI calculation first and looking specifically at how they're treating your husband's consulting business. Compare what they have listed against what you actually reported. Also, definitely reach out to your daughter's schools NOW - don't wait for the correction to be processed. Most financial aid offices are aware of these FAFSA issues and will work with you if you're proactive about communicating the problem. You mentioned your income actually decreased, so this increase makes no sense. That alone should be grounds for both a FAFSA correction AND school appeals if needed. Stay persistent - I've seen too many families get this resolved to give up hope!

I went through almost the exact same thing last year! Our SAI jumped from 42k to 95k overnight and we were panicking. Turns out it was a business asset reporting issue - the system was counting my wife's small photography business assets twice in the calculation. Here's what worked for us: 1. Downloaded the detailed SAI breakdown (this was KEY - showed us exactly where the error was) 2. Called FSA using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above (honestly worth every penny to skip the hold times) 3. The agent found that business equipment was being counted as both business assets AND personal investments 4. Filed a correction that took about 2.5 weeks to process 5. Final SAI came back to 48k, very close to our original estimate The most important thing is to act fast and contact your daughter's schools immediately. We emailed all her top choices explaining the situation and asking for extended decision deadlines. Three out of four schools were totally understanding and held her spot while we fixed the FAFSA. Don't lose hope - the new system is buggy but these errors CAN be corrected. Focus on that business valuation section in your SAI breakdown - I bet that's where you'll find the problem!

Just joined this community after discovering this thread while frantically searching for FAFSA solutions! My daughter has been battling the exact same "unknown error" since February, and like so many others here, we've been stuck in the endless cycle of unhelpful FSA calls and generic "try again later" responses. This thread is absolutely incredible - I've learned more practical solutions in one read than in months of official support interactions! The E-43 error code and manual override process that Diego shared is exactly the kind of specific, actionable information we desperately needed. I had no idea there was a backend code for this error or that manual overrides were even possible. We're definitely going to try the winning combination that worked for Omar: using Claimyr to actually reach an agent efficiently, then requesting the "manual application override due to technical error code E-43." If that doesn't work, we have backup plans with the VPN approach from Luca and the alternative address strategy from Anastasia. It's both incredible and deeply frustrating that this community has developed more effective solutions than the official support system. Thank you to everyone who took the time to document what actually worked - you're literally helping families secure their children's educational futures. The level of mutual support here gives me hope that we can overcome these systematic failures together. I'll definitely update with our results!

Just created an account after finding this incredible thread! My son has been dealing with this exact "unknown error" since late January, and we've been going in circles with FSA support for months. Reading through all these real solutions from families who've actually solved this problem is like finding a treasure trove of hope! The E-43 error code information that Diego shared is absolutely game-changing - I had no idea there were specific backend codes or that manual overrides were even possible. We're definitely going to try the winning strategy: using Claimyr to get through to an actual agent, then requesting the "manual application override due to technical error code E-43." It's incredible (and honestly infuriating) that this community has developed more effective solutions than months of official FSA support. The fact that Omar finally succeeded after four months using these exact strategies gives me so much confidence that we can solve this too. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share what actually worked - you're literally saving families' financial aid opportunities when the official system has failed us. This is what real community support looks like! I'll definitely come back to update on our progress.

As someone who just went through this exact process with my twin daughters last year, I can't echo everyone's advice enough - Parent PLUS loans absolutely can cover off-campus housing! But here's something I wish I'd known earlier: some schools will actually increase your Parent PLUS loan eligibility when you switch to off-campus housing if their off-campus cost of attendance is higher than dorms. One of my daughters' schools actually had a HIGHER off-campus allowance than on-campus because they recognized that students living off-campus also have to pay for internet, renters insurance, and furnishing costs that dorm students don't face. So don't just assume off-campus will mean less aid - it might actually work in your favor! Also, I second the advice about getting refunds sent to you instead of directly to your daughter. The financial aid office made it super easy - just one form to fill out. Having control over that money during those crucial first few months really helped us make sure rent got paid on time while she was still learning to manage her budget. You're asking all the right questions, Logan. This process is confusing by design, not because you're missing something obvious! 😊

As a newcomer to this community, I just have to say WOW - this thread has been absolutely incredible! I'm in the exact same boat as Logan with my son starting college this fall, and I was completely lost about how Parent PLUS loans work for off-campus housing. Reading through everyone's real-world experiences has been like getting a crash course in college financial aid that I never knew I needed. The practical tips about disbursement timing, setting up dedicated accounts, keeping documentation, and even the tax implications are pure gold. This is the kind of information that should come in a "College Parent Survival Guide" but somehow never does! I especially appreciate how supportive everyone has been - from Mikayla's clear explanations to Sean's funny gaming setup story (which I'm definitely worried about with my own son! 😅), to all the detailed banking and logistics advice. It's such a relief to know that feeling completely overwhelmed by this process is totally normal. Logan, thank you for having the courage to ask these "basic" questions - you've created an amazing resource that's going to help so many families! I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and looking forward to learning more from this wonderful community as I navigate my own college financial aid journey. 🎓

I'm new to this community but dealing with the exact same frustrating issue! My husband also doesn't have an FSA ID and we keep getting that confusing "doesn't match account" error message. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - it's clear that the new FAFSA system requires ALL contributors to have their own FSA ID now, which wasn't the case before. I'm going to follow the advice here and have my husband create his FSA ID today using his exact legal name from his Social Security card, then wait the 24-48 hours for verification before trying again. It's ridiculous that the FAFSA help desk doesn't explain this clearly instead of sending people in circles! Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - this thread is more helpful than any official FAFSA support I've received.

I'm new to this community and currently going through this exact same issue! My husband has never created an FSA ID either, and we keep getting that misleading "data doesn't match account" error. After reading through all these helpful responses, it's clear the new FAFSA system requires spouses to have their own verified FSA IDs now - something that wasn't properly communicated anywhere! I'm going to have my husband create his FSA ID today using his exact legal name from his Social Security card, then wait the full 48 hours for verification like everyone suggests. It's so frustrating that the official help resources don't explain this clearly, but this thread has been more helpful than any customer service call. Thanks to everyone who shared their solutions - you've given me hope that we can actually get through this process! 🤞

Hi Kristian! Welcome to the community! As a newcomer here, I found your question incredibly helpful since I'm also trying to navigate FAFSA for the first time. Your -1500 SAI is fantastic news for Pell Grant eligibility! From all the excellent responses you've received, it's clear that at 9 credits (three-quarter time), you'll get about 75% of the maximum Pell Grant, which equals roughly $5,546 for the full academic year or about $2,773 per semester. That's substantial help for your education costs! What really stood out to me from this thread was learning about all the additional resources available - TRIO programs, first-gen scholarships, state grants, work-study opportunities, and even financial literacy counseling. As someone also figuring this out without family guidance, it's reassuring to discover there are so many support systems designed specifically for students like us. I'm definitely taking notes on the advice about bringing your SAI calculation sheet and enrollment documentation to your financial aid appointment. Being well-prepared seems to make a real difference in getting accurate, personalized information. Thanks for asking such a thorough question - your post has created an incredibly educational discussion that will help many other newcomers understand the FAFSA process better!

Hi Kristian! Welcome to the community! As a newcomer myself, I wanted to thank you for posting such a detailed question about SAI and part-time Pell Grant eligibility. Your situation is really helpful for those of us just starting to understand how financial aid works. From all the excellent responses here, it's clear that your -1500 SAI puts you in the best possible position for Pell Grant eligibility! The breakdown that several knowledgeable members provided about receiving approximately 75% of the maximum award at 9 credits ($5,546 annually, split into roughly $2,773 per semester) gives such a clear picture of what to expect. What I found most valuable from this discussion was learning about all the additional support available to first-generation students - TRIO programs, emergency aid funds, financial literacy counseling, and state grants that can stack with federal aid. I had no idea these resources existed before reading through everyone's responses. I'm also planning to schedule a financial aid appointment at my school and will definitely bring my SAI documentation as everyone suggested. It's amazing how supportive and knowledgeable this community is - your question has created an incredibly educational thread that will help so many other newcomers navigate the FAFSA process with more confidence. Thanks for being so proactive in asking these important questions and creating such a helpful discussion for all of us who are just starting this journey!