As another newcomer to the financial aid world, I just want to echo what everyone else has said about this being completely normal! I'm starting my program next fall and had no idea that Pell Grants were disbursed in installments rather than all at once. This thread has been incredibly educational - I feel like I'm getting a preview of what to expect when I go through this process myself. It's really comforting to see how supportive this community is, especially for first-generation college students who are navigating these systems without family guidance. Fatima, it sounds like you're in great shape with your SAI qualifying you for the full amount and staying enrolled full-time. Your second disbursement should come right on schedule with your next term! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise here - I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference for when I start my own financial aid journey.

As a newcomer to this community and financial aid in general, I wanted to thank everyone who contributed to this thread! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational. I'm starting my college journey next year and had no idea that Pell Grant disbursements worked this way - I probably would have had the same panic that Fatima did when only receiving half the expected amount! It's really reassuring to learn that this is standard federal procedure and not something to worry about. The practical tips about checking student portals for disbursement schedules, setting up account alerts, and knowing about emergency resources are so valuable. This community seems amazing for first-generation students like myself who don't have family members who've navigated these systems before. I'm definitely bookmarking this thread and planning to be more active here as I start my own financial aid journey. Thank you to all the experienced members who took the time to share their knowledge!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to echo what everyone has said and add my own experience from last year! We were in almost the identical situation - household income around $220k, daughter with excellent stats (3.95 GPA, 1510 SAT), looking at expensive private schools. I was initially very resistant to completing the FAFSA because I was convinced we'd get nothing and it seemed like a bureaucratic nightmare. But after reading advice similar to what's been shared here, we decided to push through it. Best decision we made! Here's what we discovered: 1. **Merit scholarship requirements** - 4 out of her 6 target schools absolutely required FAFSA for ANY institutional aid consideration. We would have lost out on significant merit awards without it. 2. **Unexpected eligibility** - One school offered us a small need-based grant (~$3k/year) that we never saw coming, apparently due to some quirk in how they calculate institutional need vs. federal methodology. 3. **Loan access** - The unsubsidized federal loans were a lifesaver. Even though $5,500 seems small compared to total costs, it was $22,000 less we had to borrow privately over four years. 4. **Peace of mind** - When my husband had a temporary salary reduction due to company restructuring junior year, having the FAFSA already on file made it easy to request a professional judgment review and get additional aid. The actual process took me about 50 minutes with documents ready, despite my fears about the technical issues. Yes, there were a couple brief glitches, but nothing that couldn't be resolved with patience. Don't let fear of bureaucracy cost you thousands in potential aid!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to add my voice to the chorus of people encouraging you to complete the FAFSA! I'm in a very similar situation with my son who's a high school senior - we make around $200k and I initially thought the FAFSA would be pointless for us. What convinced me was talking to a friend whose daughter lost out on a $12k annual merit scholarship at a private university simply because they didn't complete the FAFSA. The scholarship itself had nothing to do with financial need, but the school required FAFSA completion for all institutional aid disbursement - something buried in the fine print that they missed. Reading through this thread has reinforced that decision. The stories about schools using FAFSA data strategically for merit aid calculations, the access to federal loans with better terms than private options, and the flexibility it provides if circumstances change all make compelling arguments. One practical tip I learned from our school counselor: create your FSA ID well before you plan to complete the FAFSA. Both student and parent need separate IDs, and there can be verification delays that might slow down the process if you try to do it all at once. With your daughter's excellent academic profile, she's going to be competitive for merit aid regardless, but why risk closing any doors unnecessarily? The potential upside far outweighs the hour or so it takes to complete. Thanks to everyone for sharing such helpful real-world experiences!

As a newcomer to this community, I can't thank everyone enough for this incredibly helpful thread! I was literally having the same exact panic attack as the original poster - completely freaking out because I thought I needed my 2024 tax return for FAFSA and I haven't even looked at my tax documents yet. The "prior-prior year" explanation has been a total game-changer for me. I had no idea that the 2025-2026 FAFSA uses 2023 tax data, not the most recent year. It makes so much sense from a timing perspective - it gives everyone a reasonable window to complete their applications without this impossible rush to file current taxes first. What I really appreciate about this community is how everyone shares their genuine experiences, from the midnight panic sessions to the moment of relief when it all clicks. It makes navigating this confusing process feel so much less isolating. The practical tips about having documents organized beforehand and remembering you can make corrections later are exactly the kind of real-world advice that official websites don't always provide clearly. Special thanks to the financial aid office worker who shared insider perspective - having that professional insight mixed with everyone's personal stories creates such a well-rounded understanding of the process. I'm feeling so much more confident about starting my FAFSA application now!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am to have found this thread! I was literally in the exact same situation as the original poster - completely panicking because I thought I needed my 2024 taxes done to complete my FAFSA, and I haven't even started them yet with my school's deadline approaching fast. The "prior-prior year" concept was such a relief to learn about! It makes perfect sense why they'd use 2023 tax data instead of rushing everyone to file their most recent returns. I had been putting off my FAFSA application thinking I had to get my taxes sorted first, but now I realize I already have everything I need with my 2023 return. What really stands out to me is how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. From sharing personal midnight panic stories to providing professional insights from someone who actually works in financial aid - it creates such a comprehensive understanding that you just can't get from official websites alone. The practical tips about organizing documents beforehand and being able to make corrections later are exactly what I needed to hear. I went from feeling completely overwhelmed and behind to actually feeling confident about tackling my application. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and expertise - you've probably saved countless students from unnecessary stress! This is exactly the kind of community support that makes navigating college finances feel manageable.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm amazed by how much valuable information has been shared in this thread! My son also received FWS for next year and I was struggling to understand the basics of how it works. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm realizing there's a whole strategic approach to FWS that I never would have figured out on my own. The advice about starting the job search over the summer, asking specific questions about department policies when FWS funds run out, and distinguishing between true FWS positions versus regular campus employment has been incredibly eye-opening. I'm particularly grateful for the clarification that FWS earnings don't count against future FAFSA applications - that's huge information that wasn't clearly explained in our financial aid materials! It makes these positions so much more valuable than I initially understood. One follow-up question for the community: For students who are undecided about their major, are there certain types of FWS positions that tend to give broader exposure to different fields or career paths? My son is still exploring his interests and I'm wondering if his FWS job could be part of that exploration process rather than just a way to earn money. Thank you to everyone who has shared such detailed and practical guidance. This discussion has been invaluable for families navigating FWS for the first time!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such comprehensive and practical information about Federal Work Study! My daughter also received a FWS award for next year and I was completely lost about how it actually works until I found this thread. After reading through all these experiences, I'm realizing that FWS is much more nuanced than the basic information we received from the financial aid office suggested. The key insights about applying early (starting over the summer!), asking specific questions about department policies when federal funding runs out, and understanding that FWS earnings don't impact future FAFSA applications have been game-changers for our planning. I'm particularly struck by how much the experience can vary between different schools and even different departments within the same school. It sounds like doing research upfront - contacting the Student Employment office, asking about study time during interviews, and understanding each department's budget situation - can make a huge difference in finding a position that actually works well with academic demands. One thing I'm curious about: for families where this is the first experience with work study, are there any common mistakes or oversights that we should be aware of? I want to make sure we help our daughter avoid any pitfalls that might not be obvious to first-time FWS families. This community discussion has been far more valuable than any official materials we've received - thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their real-world experiences and insights!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the "middle income squeeze" is absolutely real and heartbreaking for families like yours. One thing that helped us was requesting a "professional judgment review" for unusual circumstances. The key is being very specific about your additional expenses that FAFSA doesn't capture. For your $16,500 in medical expenses and $9,000 supporting your parents, make sure you have detailed documentation - not just receipts, but a letter explaining how these are ongoing obligations that impact your ability to pay. Also, don't overlook state-specific aid programs! Many states have grants that use different formulas than federal aid. And definitely have your daughter apply for departmental scholarships in engineering - many of these have later deadlines and smaller applicant pools. I know it feels overwhelming, but there are often more options than appear at first glance. Your daughter worked hard to get into her dream school, and that dedication will serve her well in finding creative funding solutions too!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the SAI calculation really doesn't reflect the reality of middle-class family finances. One thing that worked for my family was creating what I called a "financial reality packet" for the appeals process. I included a detailed monthly budget showing actual expenses, documentation of all medical costs and elder care expenses, and a cover letter explaining how these circumstances weren't captured in the FAFSA. The key was being very specific about ongoing vs. one-time expenses. Also, don't forget to check if your daughter's school participates in any consortium programs with other colleges - sometimes you can take gen ed courses at a cheaper community college during summers and transfer the credits back. This helped us save about $8,000 over four years. The appeals process can take time, but many schools have emergency aid funds they can tap into while you're waiting for the formal review. Stay persistent and document everything!