Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! Just to make sure I've got this 100% clear - for my 2025-26 FAFSA, I'll report the TOTAL child support received during 2023 tax year (Jan-Apr for older child + full year for younger child). I won't try to allocate different amounts to each child's separate FAFSA, since the child support question is in the parent section that applies to the whole household. Is that correct?

Perfect! You've got it figured out now. Just to add one more tip - keep good records of those child support payments (bank statements, payment apps, etc.) in case you need to verify the amounts later. Some schools do request documentation during the verification process. Good luck with your kids' financial aid applications!

Hi Sofia! As someone who just discovered this community while researching my own FAFSA questions, I wanted to add that you're definitely not alone in this worry! I'm currently a high school senior and made a similar correction last month - I had to fix my parents' investment account info after realizing we'd accidentally double-counted some retirement funds. Like you, I was absolutely terrified that the correction date would somehow override my original submission date for priority deadlines. But after reading through all these responses and doing some research of my own, I'm feeling so much more confident! It's actually pretty reassuring to see that this is such a common concern and that the system is designed to protect students who catch and fix errors. Your March 15 submission date is definitely safe, and that $18k asset reduction sounds like it's going to work out really well for your aid package. Thanks for posting this question - it's helped calm my nerves about my own situation too! 😊

Hi Sofia! I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something very similar this year. I submitted my FAFSA in early March but had to make a correction in mid-April when I realized I'd incorrectly reported my parents' 529 plan assets (I accidentally included my younger sibling's account too). I was absolutely panicking that the April correction would somehow mess up my priority status at my top choice schools. But after calling three different financial aid offices and speaking with a Federal Student Aid representative, I can confirm what everyone here is saying - your original March 15 submission date is completely protected! The correction system is specifically designed so that fixing errors doesn't penalize students who submitted on time. Your $18k asset reduction should actually improve your Expected Family Contribution, which could mean more aid. I ended up getting great aid packages from all my schools despite the late correction. You did everything right by submitting early and then fixing the error when you caught it. Don't stress - you're in a really good position! 😊

Wow, this entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now with my son's FAFSA and was about to panic thinking I had somehow messed up the contributor process. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the sequential requirement (student completes their section first, then parent section activates) is the most common culprit. I'm going to have my son check how far he got in his personal information section before I start troubleshooting anything else. It's honestly ridiculous that the FSA website doesn't explain this workflow clearly - they really need to add some kind of progress tracker or checklist. Thank you to everyone who shared their solutions, especially the tip about double-checking dependency status and using the original invitation email link if needed. This community is so much more helpful than the official resources!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently going through this exact same situation with my daughter's FAFSA and was getting so frustrated thinking the system was broken. After reading everyone's experiences, it's clear that the sequential workflow is the key issue - the student really does need to complete their personal information section fully before the parent contributor section becomes active. It's honestly mind-boggling that the Department of Education doesn't explain this anywhere prominently on their website. The fact that so many parents are encountering this same confusion shows there's a serious communication gap in their system design. I'm going to have my daughter check her progress right now and hopefully we'll get this resolved soon. Thanks to everyone who shared their troubleshooting steps and solutions - this community support is invaluable when the official resources fall short!

Just wanted to jump in and say how amazing this community is! I've been lurking here for a while as I prepared to start my own FAFSA journey, and seeing all the helpful responses to @NeonNomad's question has given me so much confidence. As a first-generation college student whose parents don't speak English well, I was really intimidated by this whole process. But reading about the save feature, the document checklist suggestions, and all the practical tips everyone shared makes it feel so much more doable. Special thanks to everyone who mentioned the IRS Data Retrieval Tool and the evening customer service hours - those details are exactly what I needed to know! This is exactly the kind of supportive environment that makes such a difference for people navigating financial aid for the first time.

I just want to echo what others have said about taking your time with this process! As someone who completed my FAFSA last year while working full-time and caring for elderly parents, I completely understand the challenge of finding time to gather all the necessary information. The save feature really is a lifesaver - I ended up completing mine over about 10 days, working on it in small chunks whenever I had 15-20 minutes free. One additional tip that helped me: I created a simple folder (physical and digital) specifically for FAFSA documents so everything was in one place when I needed it. Also, don't forget to bookmark the official FAFSA website (studentaid.gov) - there are unfortunately a lot of scam sites that look similar but charge fees for services that are completely free. You're doing great by starting early and asking the right questions. The financial aid process can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into manageable pieces like you're doing is exactly the right approach!

As a current college student who had a similar negative SAI last year, I just want to emphasize how important it is to stay organized throughout this process! With a -1500 SAI, you're going to be dealing with multiple aid sources - federal grants, state grants, institutional aid, possibly work-study, and loans. I recommend creating a simple spreadsheet to track all your aid offers from different schools so you can easily compare total packages. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to financial aid offices if you have questions - they're usually really helpful and want to make sure you understand your options. Some schools even have financial aid counselors who can walk you through your entire package over the phone. Your negative SAI is truly a blessing in disguise for making college affordable!

Wow, reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational! I'm a junior in high school just starting to learn about FAFSA and financial aid, and honestly I had no idea that negative SAI numbers even existed, let alone that they were a GOOD thing. This thread is making me feel so much more optimistic about affording college. My family's financial situation is pretty tough right now, so knowing that high financial need can actually translate into substantial aid packages is amazing. I'm definitely going to bookmark this conversation and come back to it when I'm filling out my FAFSA next year. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - you're helping future students like me understand this confusing process!