Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who went through this process recently! While you're waiting for acceptances and official aid packages, don't overlook state schools if your son hasn't already included some. Even with a higher SAI that doesn't qualify for federal grants, many state universities offer significant in-state tuition discounts and have their own merit-based scholarships that can make them very affordable compared to private schools. My nephew was in a similar situation last year - no federal grants but ended up at our state flagship with a combination of merit aid and lower base tuition that made it cheaper than private schools even with their aid packages. Worth considering as safety options while you're building that college list!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is to look into schools that offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA/test scores! Some colleges publish charts showing exactly what merit aid students get based on their academic stats, regardless of financial need. My daughter had a similar SAI situation (no federal grants) but ended up with substantial merit awards at several schools that made them very affordable. Schools like Alabama, Mississippi State, and many others have guaranteed scholarships if you meet certain criteria. It takes some of the guesswork out of the process since you'll know upfront what merit aid to expect, even before applying. Might be worth researching if your son has strong academics!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to share my recent experience since I just went through this exact process with my daughter! Both of my ex-wife and I applied for separate Parent PLUS loans even though we've been divorced for 5 years. Here's what actually happened in our case: - I applied for $8,000 and she applied for $9,000 to cover our daughter's $17,000 gap - We both got approved within about 5 business days - Each of us ended up with different loan servicers (I got Nelnet, she got MOHELA) - The school's financial aid office had no issues coordinating both loans The key things that made it smooth for us: 1. We agreed on the amounts via text before either of us started applications 2. We both completed our FSA ID verification about 2 weeks before applying (this was crucial!) 3. I applied on Monday, she applied on Wednesday - close timing helped the school process everything together 4. We both saved screenshots of our confirmation pages One unexpected thing - the financial aid office actually called us both separately to confirm the loan amounts matched what they had on file. So don't be surprised if you get a verification call. Your plan to have your stepdad apply first with better credit is smart. Having that first approval gives you a safety net while deciding if your mom needs to apply for additional funds. You've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I have to say this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation - my mom and stepdad want to help cover my college costs through Parent PLUS loans, and I've been getting so much conflicting information from different sources. Reading through everyone's real experiences has clarified so much for me. The key points I'm taking away are: - Both parents can definitely apply separately as long as the total doesn't exceed cost of attendance minus other aid - My stepdad absolutely qualifies even though he's not my biological father (as long as he's married to my mom) - Each parent will have their own credit check, loan servicer, and repayment responsibility - Getting FSA IDs set up and verified early is crucial to avoid delays - Having clear communication between parents about amounts before applying is essential I'm planning to have my stepdad apply first since he has better credit, similar to what several people recommended. The timeline insights from people who actually went through this process are incredibly helpful - knowing it typically takes about a week from application to approval helps me plan around my school deadlines. Thank you to everyone who shared such detailed experiences and practical tips. This community support makes navigating these complex financial aid processes so much less overwhelming!

As someone who went through this exact situation with my oldest child, I can offer some perspective. When my spouse got a new job that increased our income by about $50K between freshman and sophomore year, we saw our aid package drop by approximately $12K. The key things that helped us navigate this: 1. **Start planning NOW** - Don't wait until you receive next year's aid package to strategize. Use online EFC calculators with your projected new income to estimate changes. 2. **Look into payment plans** - Many schools offer monthly payment plans that can help spread costs throughout the year rather than large semester payments. 3. **Research outside scholarships** - Your daughter can apply for private scholarships that aren't income-dependent to help offset reduced institutional aid. 4. **Consider state-specific programs** - Some states have middle-income assistance programs that kick in when federal aid decreases. The most important advice: don't panic and make rash decisions. Yes, costs will likely increase, but with proper planning and communication with the financial aid office, it's manageable. Many families successfully navigate these income transitions during college years.

I'm in a very similar boat with my son who's currently a high school senior! My husband's income fluctuated significantly over the past few years due to contract work, and we're expecting it to stabilize at a much higher level just as college starts. One thing our college counselor suggested that I haven't seen mentioned yet is to look into schools that offer "middle income initiatives" or "no loan" programs for families in certain income brackets. Some schools have specific programs designed to help families whose income might be too high for maximum federal aid but still makes college costs challenging. Also, I've been tracking this issue and noticed that some schools are more "aid-friendly" than others when it comes to year-over-year consistency. When you have that conversation with the financial aid office, it might be worth asking about their historical approach to aid adjustments for families with income changes. Some schools try to minimize dramatic swings while others strictly follow federal formulas. The anxiety about committing to a school without knowing the full 4-year picture is so real. Wishing you the best as you navigate this!

I'm new to this whole FAFSA process and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually dealing with a slightly different but related issue - I submitted my FAFSA but realized I accidentally included a school that I'm no longer interested in attending (my parents made me apply there as a backup). Since I know I won't be going there, should I remove it from my FAFSA to avoid any confusion? Or does it not matter if I just ignore any aid packages they might send me? I don't want to mess anything up for my actual top choices by having too many schools listed. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I just went through this exact same situation two weeks ago! The panic is real when you think you've messed up something so important. I want to echo what everyone else has said - the remove/re-add method absolutely works and is much easier than it sounds. One thing I'd add that helped me: before you start the process, make sure you're logged in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening). I tried doing this during lunch time on a weekday and the site kept timing out on me. When I tried again around 10pm, everything went smoothly. Also, don't stress if you see that "processing" message for a few days - mine took exactly 4 days to update and all my schools received the corrected information without any issues. You've got this!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information on this thread! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea there were so many nuances to guardianship situations and FAFSA requirements. I'm particularly struck by how many people have emphasized getting the court documents reviewed by professionals early in the process. It seems like the exact legal terminology can make such a huge difference between independent and dependent status, which completely changes the financial aid picture. For someone like me who might face similar situations in the future, this thread is a goldmine of practical advice - from keeping detailed timelines and earnings records, to exploring community college pathways, to connecting with specialized resources like NASFAA and state Department of Education staff. StarStrider, your nephew is so fortunate to have someone advocating for him this thoughtfully and starting the planning process early. Best of luck navigating everything - it sounds like you're setting him up for success despite the challenging circumstances that brought you here!

As someone new to this community, I'm amazed by the wealth of knowledge and support shown in this thread! The complexity of guardianship situations for FAFSA purposes is really eye-opening - I had no idea that the specific legal terminology could make such a dramatic difference between independent and dependent status. What strikes me most is how this situation, while born from difficult circumstances, could actually position your nephew for maximum financial aid if properly documented. The combination of independent status and low income from his part-time job could result in significant grant aid that doesn't need to be repaid. I'm particularly impressed by the practical advice about starting early with documentation, building relationships with school counselors, and exploring multiple pathways like community college partnerships. The suggestion to contact state Department of Education specialists who deal specifically with guardianship cases seems especially valuable. Your nephew is incredibly fortunate to have someone who's advocating for him so thoughtfully and planning this far in advance. Starting this process in his junior year gives you such an advantage over families who discover these complexities at the last minute. Best of luck with everything!