This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a parent going through this process with my daughter for the first time, and I had no idea corrections were even possible after submitting. We submitted her FAFSA two weeks ago and just realized we forgot to include her safety school that offers automatic merit aid based on FAFSA submission. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring - especially knowing that the process is straightforward and schools receive the information quickly. I'm definitely going to have her take screenshots of the confirmation page as suggested, and we'll make sure to verify with the school's financial aid office once they receive her information. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping ease the anxiety that comes with this whole process!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - I submitted my FAFSA last week and just got accepted to a school I didn't think I had a chance at, so I need to add them to my list. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially the warnings about being careful not to accidentally change other sections when making corrections. It's also reassuring to know that the 3-5 day processing time is pretty reliable. Quick question for anyone who's done this recently - when you log in to make corrections, does the system make you verify your identity again with security questions, or can you just use your FSA ID? I'm always paranoid about getting locked out of my account!

Mei, I completely understand your worry - I had the exact same anxiety when I first got my FAFSA results! Reading through all these responses has been so helpful because everyone is absolutely right. I just wanted to add my own experience: I'm currently a sophomore and received the max Pell Grant both years. The first year I was terrified it wouldn't actually come through, but it did exactly as promised. What really helped me was understanding that the Department of Education has already done all the hard work - they've calculated your need, determined your eligibility, and set aside that funding. Your SAI qualifying you for the maximum amount is like getting a voucher that's already been approved by the federal government. The school is basically just the middleman who processes the payment. As long as you stay enrolled full-time and maintain good academic standing (which sounds like you're totally prepared to do), that $7,000 is yours. I know the waiting for your school's official package is nerve-wracking, but try to shift your mindset from "will I get it?" to "when will I get it?" because the answer to the first question is definitely yes! Congratulations on qualifying for the full amount - it's going to make such a huge difference in your college journey.

Congratulations on qualifying for the maximum Pell Grant, Mei! As someone who just went through the FAFSA process myself, I can totally relate to that mix of relief and confusion. Everyone here has given you excellent advice - when you're eligible for the max Pell Grant based on your SAI, it really is guaranteed money, not a maybe. I wanted to add one thing that helped me feel more confident: once you get your official award letter from your school, you'll see the Pell Grant listed as a specific dollar amount with clear disbursement dates. That made it feel much more real and concrete for me. Also, most schools have a student portal where you can track when the funds are actually deposited to your account, which was really helpful for planning my expenses. The fact that you're taking 15 credits and this is your first year means you're in perfect shape to receive the full amount. Try to enjoy this moment - qualifying for the maximum Pell Grant is a huge accomplishment and it's going to make such a difference in your college experience!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed experiences with the FAFSA review process! I'm currently facing a similar situation with my twin daughters' applications - both have been "In Review" for 3 weeks, and I've been losing sleep wondering if I made errors on their forms. Reading through this thread has been incredibly reassuring, especially learning that the extended review times are system-wide issues rather than problems with our specific applications. The advice about documenting correction attempts via email and the distinction between work-study and regular student income has been invaluable. It's also helpful to know that financial aid offices at colleges are aware of these delays and may be more flexible with deadlines. This community seems like such a supportive resource for parents navigating what feels like an increasingly complex financial aid process!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so relieved to find this discussion! My son's FAFSA has been stuck "In Review" for nearly 3 weeks now, and I was starting to think we'd done something terribly wrong. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both reassuring and informative - it's clear this is a widespread issue with the new system rather than individual application problems. The advice about documenting correction attempts via email is something I hadn't thought of but makes perfect sense. I'm also grateful to learn about the distinction between work-study and regular student income, as my son had both types of earnings last year and I wasn't sure how they'd be treated differently. The tip about contacting schools directly about deadline flexibility is also really valuable - I hadn't considered that they might be accommodating the FAFSA delays. Thank you all for creating such a supportive space for parents dealing with this frustrating but apparently normal situation!

As a newcomer to this conversation, I just want to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm actually in a very similar situation to the original poster - my spouse and I are planning to both return to school full-time next year, and I had so many of the same concerns about FAFSA with zero current income but some savings. Reading through all the detailed advice about Professional Judgment reviews, asset assessment rates, verification processes, and timeline planning has given me a much clearer roadmap for our own journey. The practical tips like keeping detailed records in a spreadsheet, gathering employer termination letters, and submitting FAFSAs early are exactly the kind of real-world guidance you can't find in official resources. I'm especially grateful for the insights from those who've actually been through this process recently - knowing that Professional Judgment reviews can make such a significant difference (like the $12,000+ impact mentioned earlier) gives me hope that our situation isn't as hopeless as it initially seemed. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, both positive and negative. This is exactly why I love this community - getting honest, practical advice from people who've walked this path before!

As someone who just went through a very similar situation last year, I wanted to add a few things that really helped us navigate this process successfully! First, regarding your $42,000 in savings - while it will impact your SAI calculation as others mentioned, don't let that discourage you from pursuing aid. We had about $38,000 saved and still qualified for substantial Pell Grants after our Professional Judgment reviews were approved. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to make sure you understand the difference between how each school processes Professional Judgment requests. Some schools have dedicated staff for these reviews and move quickly, while others treat them as lower priority. When you contact the financial aid offices, ask specifically about their timeline and what you can do to ensure your request gets processed promptly. Also, consider reaching out to both schools' veteran/non-traditional student services if they have them. Even though you're not veterans, these offices often have additional resources and can sometimes advocate for students going through career transitions. They helped us identify several small scholarships we wouldn't have found otherwise. The stress you're feeling is completely normal - this is a big financial leap! But the fact that you planned ahead and saved responsibly puts you in a much better position than many students. You've got this!

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add - don't give up hope! While the dependency override process is tough, it's not impossible. I'd also suggest reaching out to your state's financial aid agency as they sometimes have additional resources or programs for students in difficult family situations. One thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of events showing the progression of the family breakdown. This helped demonstrate that it wasn't just a recent argument but a long-term deterioration. Also, if you have any documentation of previous attempts to contact your parents (like screenshots of unanswered texts or emails), keep those as evidence. The process is frustrating and feels unfair, but there are people who want to help you succeed. Start with your school's financial aid office - they deal with these situations more than you might think. Good luck!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and it was absolutely maddening! The system really doesn't account for students who are genuinely estranged from their parents but don't fit the narrow federal criteria. Here's what worked for me: I documented EVERYTHING - every unanswered call, text, email attempt. I also got letters from my therapist, my old high school guidance counselor, and even my landlord who could verify I'd been living independently. The key was showing a pattern of long-term estrangement, not just recent conflict. My school's financial aid office was actually more helpful than I expected once I got past the initial "you need parent info" response. They walked me through the dependency override process step by step. It took about 6 weeks to process, but they approved it. One tip: when you contact your school's financial aid office, ask specifically to speak with someone about "unusual circumstances" or "dependency override requests." The front desk staff might not know the process, but there are specialists who handle these cases regularly. Also, apply to multiple schools if you can - each one evaluates these requests independently, so approval at one doesn't guarantee approval elsewhere, but it does mean you have options. Don't let this bureaucratic nightmare derail your education plans!