Hey Zara! I'm a college senior who went through almost this exact same situation two years ago - paying rent to my mom while being financially independent but still dependent for FAFSA purposes. The whole system is so backwards! Just wanted to add one more tip that really helped me: when you're putting together your Professional Judgment documentation packet, include a comparison sheet showing what you actually receive in family support versus what the FAFSA assumes you receive based on your step-dad's income. For example, show that while the FAFSA might assume thousands in family contribution based on his $95k salary, your actual family support is just the occasional $200-300 from your mom every few months. This visual comparison really helped my financial aid counselor understand the disconnect between what the formula assumes and my reality. I also included a timeline showing how my living situation changed after the 2023 tax year (moved in with dad, started paying full rent, became truly self-supporting) to explain why my current circumstances don't match the tax information. The good news is that once schools see the full picture through a well-organized PJ appeal, they're often very willing to make adjustments. My initial EFC was ridiculous, but after the appeal I got substantial aid including work-study and institutional grants. Don't let that step-parent income number scare you away from the process - you've clearly got your act together and that will shine through in your appeal!

Hey Zara! I'm a financial aid advisor and I just wanted to jump in with a few additional thoughts after reading through all the excellent advice you've received here. You're absolutely on the right track with the Professional Judgment approach! One thing I'd emphasize that I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you contact your school's financial aid office about the PJ process, ask specifically about their "Special Circumstances" or "Unusual Circumstances" form. Many schools have standardized forms for these appeals that can guide you through exactly what documentation they want to see. This can save you time and ensure you're providing everything they need upfront. Also, timing-wise, I'd recommend reaching out to your schools' financial aid offices BEFORE you even submit your PJ documentation. A quick phone call to explain your situation and ask about their process can help you tailor your packet to their specific requirements. Some schools prefer certain formats or have particular documentation they prioritize. The fact that you've been so organized about tracking your expenses and keeping records is going to be huge in your favor. Financial aid officers see a lot of appeals, and the ones that are well-documented and professionally presented definitely stand out. Based on your situation and how thoughtfully you've approached this whole process, I'm optimistic you'll see positive results from your appeals. You've got this - the system may be frustrating, but you're navigating it exactly right!

As someone who works in enrollment for a NY health plan, I can add some official clarity here. New York's Child Health Plus is indeed part of the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which means it absolutely counts as a qualifying program for FAFSA's Medicaid question. The confusion comes from the fact that CHP operates as a separate program with its own branding, but it's federally funded through CHIP dollars. When the FAFSA asks about "Medicaid," they're really asking about any means-tested public benefit programs, including all state CHIP programs. I've seen too many families miss out on aid because they didn't realize this connection. Always check "yes" for Child Health Plus - it could be the difference between qualifying for additional federal aid or not!

This thread is a perfect example of why we need better FAFSA education resources! I just went through this same confusion with my twin daughters who both have Child Health Plus. After reading all these responses, I'm kicking myself because I answered "no" on both their applications thinking CHP wasn't "real" Medicaid. Now I'm wondering if I should file corrections - has anyone here successfully updated their FAFSA after submission to change this answer? I'm worried about the timing since some of their schools have early deadlines coming up. Also, for future families dealing with this, it might be worth noting that the NY State of Health website doesn't really make the CHIP/federal connection clear either, so don't feel bad if you're confused - even the state resources could do a better job explaining how these programs relate to federal financial aid!

I just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to your school's financial aid office by phone, try calling right when they open in the morning - that's usually when wait times are shortest. Also, many schools have online portals where you can submit questions or requests directly to financial aid counselors, which can be faster than email sometimes. In my experience, mentioning that you have a "FAFSA processing discrepancy" or "ISIR transaction issue" in your message helps them prioritize it since they know exactly what technical problem you're dealing with. The good news is this type of issue almost always gets resolved once the right person looks at your file - it's just a matter of getting their attention!

This is exactly the kind of situation that makes the FAFSA process so nerve-wracking for families! I'm actually dealing with something similar right now with my own FAFSA. What I've learned is that there's often a disconnect between the federal processing system and individual school systems - they don't always sync up immediately. From what others have shared here, it sounds like your March corrections created a new transaction that the school just hasn't received yet. I'd definitely recommend calling the financial aid office directly and asking them to check for your most recent ISIR transaction number. In my experience, once you get the right person on the phone who understands these technical issues, they can usually sort it out pretty quickly. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part, but it sounds like this is a common technical glitch rather than a real problem with your application.

As someone who's completely new to both this community and the FAFSA process, this thread has been incredibly educational! I had absolutely no idea that the legal distinction between custody and guardianship could have such a major impact on dependency status for financial aid purposes. It really shows how important it is to understand these technical details that aren't immediately obvious. What I find most impressive is how this discussion has evolved from initial confusion into such a comprehensive action plan. The strategic approach everyone has outlined - submitting the FAFSA first with your information as the custodial grandparent, then pursuing dependency overrides individually with each school - seems like the most practical way to handle this complex situation. The documentation checklist that Maxwell provided is particularly valuable, and I love how everyone has emphasized starting early and staying organized throughout the process. It's also reassuring to learn that schools make independent decisions on overrides, so one denial doesn't impact other applications. Hailey, your granddaughter is incredibly fortunate to have someone who's been such a dedicated advocate throughout her entire life. While it's frustrating that the system creates these technical hurdles when you've clearly been her primary parent for 17 years, you now have all the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this successfully. This thread will definitely serve as a valuable resource for other families facing similar FAFSA challenges!

As someone completely new to navigating FAFSA, this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I had no idea that the legal distinction between custody and guardianship could make such a significant difference in dependency status determination. Reading through all the detailed advice here has really opened my eyes to how complex financial aid can be for non-traditional family structures. What I find most helpful is how everyone has transformed what started as a confusing situation into such a clear, actionable roadmap. The strategic approach of filing the FAFSA first with your information as the custodial grandparent, then pursuing dependency overrides individually with each school, makes perfect sense. Maxwell's documentation checklist is incredibly thorough and will definitely be useful for anyone facing similar circumstances. Hailey, it's so evident that your granddaughter has been blessed with an amazing advocate throughout her entire life. While it's frustrating that the system requires jumping through these technical hoops when you've clearly been her primary parent for 17 years, you now have all the tools and expertise needed to navigate this process successfully. This thread is going to be such a valuable resource for other grandparents and family members who might find themselves in similar FAFSA situations. Best of luck with everything!

Hey Ethan! New member here but I wanted to jump in because I just went through this exact situation a few weeks ago. With an SAI of 8900, you're actually in a really good position based on what I've seen! I had an SAI of 9100 and ended up qualifying for subsidized loans at my school. One thing that really helped me was using my school's online chat feature during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) - way faster than calling. Also, try checking if your school posts their "Common Data Set" online - it usually has detailed info about what percentage of students receive different types of aid, which can give you a better sense of your chances. The waiting is stressful when you're trying to budget, but hang in there! From everything I've read in this thread, it sounds like you have a solid shot at getting some good aid with that SAI.

Hey! New member here but wanted to share what just worked for me since I was in a super similar situation last week. I had an SAI of 8750 and was freaking out about not being able to reach financial aid. What finally got me through was emailing my specific academic advisor instead of the general financial aid inbox - they forwarded my question directly to a counselor who called me back the same day! Also, if you're comfortable sharing which school you're attending, some of the more experienced members here might have school-specific insights about their aid thresholds. Your 8900 SAI definitely seems to be in a promising range based on everyone's experiences shared here. One more thing - make sure you've submitted all required documents like tax transcripts if you haven't already, since incomplete files can delay your aid package even after FAFSA is done. Good luck!