As someone who's been through this process multiple times, I can relate to the confusion! The investment/asset questions were definitely problematic on previous forms. What really helped me was printing out the FAFSA and going through it section by section with my tax documents before actually filling it out online. That way I could see exactly what they were asking for and avoid double-counting anything. Also, keep screenshots of your completed sections - it makes it so much easier if you need to reference what you entered later or if there are any issues during verification.

I'm a first-time FAFSA filer and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My biggest takeaway is to be super careful about not double-counting the 529 plan in both the investments section and the education savings section. It sounds like this was a major issue on previous forms but they've improved the wording for 2025-2026. I'm also going to try the approach of printing out the form first to review with my documents - that seems like it would help avoid a lot of confusion. Does anyone know when the 2025-2026 form officially opens? I want to make sure I'm ready to go as soon as it's available.

To summarize what you need to do: 1. Complete your FSA ID setup if you haven't 2. Fill out the 2024-2025 FAFSA for Spring 2025 3. Indicate you're attending Spring semester only (not Fall 2024) 4. Use your 2022 tax information 5. Submit ASAP to meet priority deadlines 6. Contact your school to confirm they received your FAFSA 7. Prepare to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA starting in October for the following academic year This should get you on the right track!

Welcome to the community! I see you've gotten some excellent advice here already. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have all your documents ready before starting the FAFSA - your Social Security card, driver's license, 2022 tax return (or W-2s if you didn't file), and bank statements. Having everything organized beforehand makes the process much smoother. Also, don't stress too much about making mistakes on your first attempt - you can always go back and make corrections if needed. The important thing is getting it submitted soon for your Spring 2025 start date. Good luck with your college journey!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who works in financial aid at a university - this is honestly one of the most common questions we get from panicked students! You're absolutely right to just close your browser and walk away. The abandoned correction won't affect your original FAFSA processing at all. I've seen hundreds of students do this exact same thing, and it never causes any issues with SAI calculations or aid disbursement. The real problem is that the FAFSA interface is genuinely confusing - even we as professionals think those buttons are poorly labeled. Your original application will continue processing normally, and your schools will receive the data they need. The only "consequence" is that correction will sit in your activity log forever, but it's completely harmless. Don't waste time calling FSA about this - just let it be and focus on other things!

Just wanted to add my experience to help ease everyone's minds! I accidentally started a correction back in February while trying to download my Student Aid Report and went through the exact same panic that everyone here describes. After finding similar threads and reading advice like what's shared here, I decided to just close my browser and leave it alone. I'm happy to report that everything processed completely normally - my SAI came through on schedule, all my schools received the data they needed, and my aid packages were disbursed without any delays or complications. The abandoned correction is still sitting there in my activity log 3 months later, but it literally had zero impact on anything. For anyone else who finds this thread in a panic like I did - just breathe and close your browser! Your original FAFSA will be fine. This is clearly such a common issue that they really need to redesign the interface, but at least it doesn't actually break anything when it happens.

Just wanted to add that if your son is applying to multiple schools, it's worth reaching out to each financial aid office individually after submitting the FAFSA. Different schools have varying policies on how they handle disability income in their aid calculations, and some are more generous with professional judgment reviews than others. Also, some schools have special emergency aid funds or disability-related grants that aren't tied to the FAFSA at all. It's extra work but could make a real difference in his final aid packages!

One more thing to consider - if your son ends up not qualifying for as much need-based aid due to the SSDI income, make sure he still applies for merit-based scholarships at his schools and through outside organizations. Many scholarships specifically target students from families dealing with disabilities or financial hardships. Also, some states have special grant programs for students whose parents receive disability benefits. It's worth checking with your state's higher education agency to see what might be available in your area.

As someone who just went through this exact process last semester, I want to emphasize how important timing is! The moment that job board opens, you need to be ready to apply immediately. I literally had my applications drafted ahead of time with all my information filled out, so when positions went live, I could just copy/paste and submit within minutes. Also, don't just focus on the job descriptions - pay attention to the supervisors' names listed and try to research them beforehand. Some departments are known for being more flexible with schedules and better to work for than others. Pro tip: if your school has a student employment fair or orientation session, GO TO IT. I got hired on the spot at one of these events because I could speak directly with supervisors rather than just submitting online applications. Good luck - you've got this!

For what it's worth, I'd also suggest checking if your school has any work-study positions in IT support or tech services. These jobs often pay on the higher end of the scale and give you valuable technical experience that looks great on resumes. Many schools are always looking for students who can help with basic computer troubleshooting, setting up equipment for events, or maintaining lab computers. Even if you're not a tech major, these positions usually provide training and the skills transfer well to almost any career field. Plus, IT departments tend to be pretty flexible with scheduling since they understand students' academic priorities. Just another avenue to consider when that job board opens up!