I'm new to this community and just encountered this exact same asset screen loop issue with my son's FAFSA! We've been stuck for two days trying everything we could think of. Reading through this thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea this was a widespread technical bug. We're going to try the whole dollar amounts solution first thing in the morning since it seems to have worked for so many families here. It's incredibly frustrating that such a simple formatting issue can create such a major roadblock in something as important as financial aid applications. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and solutions. This community support makes all the difference when you're dealing with these stressful technical problems. I'll definitely update everyone on whether the whole dollar fix works for us too!

I'm new to this community but currently dealing with this exact asset screen loop problem! My daughter and I have been stuck on this for three days now and it's been so frustrating. We kept thinking we were making some kind of mistake, but after reading through all these experiences, it's such a relief to know this is a widespread technical bug. The whole dollar amounts solution seems to be the most consistently successful fix based on everyone's stories here. We're going to try that approach tomorrow morning - just enter $750 instead of $750.23 for her checking account. I'm also going to make sure we clear our browser cache completely and verify that all our family verification steps are actually complete like others suggested. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their solutions and experiences - this community support makes navigating these technical nightmares so much more manageable. I'll definitely report back on whether the whole dollar fix works for us too!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - the stress of seeing your SAI nearly triple must be overwhelming! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all these responses and it's clear that the FAFSA Simplification Act has created chaos for families with multiple students in college. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you have a solid action plan forming. I'd add one more suggestion: when you're preparing for those financial aid office meetings, consider bringing a "family impact statement" that shows exactly how this SAI increase affects your household budget. Include things like your monthly expenses, other financial obligations, and how you've been planning your finances based on previous aid levels. Also, don't forget to ask about work-study opportunities for your kids if they're not already participating. Sometimes when federal aid decreases, schools can offer additional campus employment to help bridge the gap. The fact that so many families are experiencing this exact same problem suggests that schools and policymakers will eventually have to address the unintended consequences of these formula changes. In the meantime, keep pushing for every available resource - institutional aid, state programs, employer benefits, and community scholarships. You're clearly a dedicated parent who's willing to fight for your kids' education. With all the great advice shared here, I'm optimistic you'll find some solutions. Please keep us updated on your progress!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely devastating when financial aid changes so dramatically without warning! As someone new to this community, I've been following similar stories and it's clear the FAFSA Simplification Act has created major problems for families with multiple kids in college. From reading all the excellent advice here, it sounds like the reduced sibling discount is likely the main culprit for your SAI jump. The old system essentially divided your contribution when you had multiple students, but the new formula provides much less relief for families in your situation. Here's what I'd recommend based on what others have shared: 1. Contact both schools' financial aid offices immediately and specifically ask for a "professional judgment coordinator" or "appeals specialist" - they have more authority than regular staff 2. Prepare a detailed comparison of your financial information from last year vs. this year to demonstrate consistency 3. Ask specifically about "FAFSA transition assistance" or institutional funds set aside for families affected by the formula changes 4. Consider creating a "family impact statement" showing exactly how this increase affects your household budget Don't give up hope! Many schools anticipated these issues and have resources available, but you often have to ask specifically. The fact that so many families are experiencing this exact problem means schools are becoming more equipped to help. You're absolutely right to feel frustrated - changing the rules mid-game without adequate communication to families was really unfair. Keep advocating for your kids and please update us on what solutions you're able to find!

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to this community and this thread has been absolutely incredible - thank you all for sharing such detailed and practical advice about FAFSA eligibility for certificate programs! I'm currently exploring a pharmacy technician certificate program at my local community college, and reading through everyone's experiences has given me such confidence about what questions to ask and what to look for. The program is 15 months, 36 credit hours, and costs about $9,200, so getting financial aid is really important for making this career change possible. Based on all the amazing advice here, I'm planning to: - Contact the pharmacy program department directly (love that tip from @Mei Chen!) - Ask specifically about the federal school code and PPA status - Verify both Pell Grant and loan eligibility separately - Check out that NASFAA guide @Rosie Harper mentioned - Look into healthcare workforce development grants in my state One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone here had experience with programs that have externship or clinical rotation requirements? I'm curious if those components affect FAFSA eligibility or if there are additional costs I should plan for that might not be covered by aid. The pharmacy tech field seems really stable with good job prospects, and this community has made me feel so much more prepared to navigate the financial aid process. Thank you all for being so generous with your knowledge and experiences! 💊🎓

Hi everyone! I'm completely new to this community and wow, this thread has been such an incredible resource! Reading through all of your experiences and advice has given me so much clarity about FAFSA eligibility for certificate programs. I'm currently considering a cybersecurity certificate program at my local community college (18 months, 42 credit hours, about $11,500 total cost). As someone who's been working in retail for the past few years and really wants to transition into tech, getting financial aid is absolutely crucial for making this possible. Thanks to all the detailed advice shared here, I now have a clear plan of action: - Contact the cybersecurity program department directly for specific eligibility details - Ask for the federal school code and verify the program is on their PPA - Check both Pell Grant and loan eligibility separately - Look into state workforce development grants - Use that College Scorecard tool to research employment outcomes What really struck me is how generous everyone has been with sharing both their successes AND their frustrations - it gives such a realistic picture of what to expect. The tip about appealing financial aid decisions if initially denied is something I never would have known about! I'm feeling so much more confident about navigating this process now. This community is exactly what I needed to find - thank you all for creating such a supportive space for people trying to better their situations through education! 🙏💻

Your SAI of 7985 is actually in a really good position for financial aid! As someone who works as a college counselor, I see students with similar numbers get solid aid packages regularly. With your family income of $65k and your SAI, you should qualify for a partial Pell Grant (likely around $2,000-3,000) plus the full subsidized loan amount for freshmen ($5,500). One thing I always tell students is to make sure you understand the difference between your SAI and your actual out-of-pocket cost. Your SAI represents what the government thinks your family can contribute, but many schools will offer institutional aid that can bring your actual cost below that number. Since you submitted your FAFSA in October, you're in great shape timing-wise. Most schools send out aid packages between March and May, so you should hear back relatively soon. Make sure you also look into Illinois state aid programs - the MAP Grant can provide several thousand dollars additional aid even for students with SAIs in your range. Don't get too stressed about the process - your numbers actually put you in a pretty favorable position for receiving meaningful financial aid!

Your SAI of 7985 is actually pretty encouraging for financial aid! I'm a current college senior who had a similar SAI when I started, and I was able to get decent aid. With your family income of $65k, you should definitely qualify for some Pell Grant money - probably around $2,000-3,500 - plus subsidized loans. One thing I learned is that the SAI is just the starting point. State University will put together a complete aid package that might include their own institutional grants on top of federal aid. Since you submitted your FAFSA in October, you're ahead of the game timing-wise, which really helps with aid allocation. Definitely look into Illinois state programs too - the MAP Grant that others mentioned can add thousands more to your aid package. I also recommend running the Net Price Calculator on State University's website to get a better estimate of what you'll actually pay after all aid is considered. The whole process is super overwhelming at first, but your SAI actually puts you in a good spot for meaningful financial aid. You should start hearing back from schools in the next few months. Hang in there - it sounds like you're on the right track!

As a newcomer who's been lurking and learning from this amazing thread, I wanted to add my perspective as someone currently going through this process. My son is a senior and we're at around $190k household income - I was absolutely planning to skip FAFSA until I read all these responses! What really convinced me was the combination of stories about merit scholarships requiring it AND the point about federal loans having better terms. Even if we can swing the costs, having those protections and repayment options seems crucial given how much college costs have risen. I just completed our FAFSA yesterday after reading this thread, and honestly it was way easier than I expected with the new simplified version. The automatic tax data transfer was a game-changer - took maybe 40 minutes total. For anyone else on the fence: the potential downside of spending an hour on paperwork versus the potential upside of missing thousands in aid/scholarships makes this a no-brainer. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you potentially saved our family from a very costly mistake!

As a newcomer to this community, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences! My daughter is a senior and we're at $185k household income - I was completely planning to skip the FAFSA until I found this thread. Reading about families missing out on merit scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars just because they didn't submit FAFSA has been a real wake-up call. The point about federal loans having better terms really resonates too. Even if we can cover most costs upfront, having those income-driven repayment options and protections as a backup seems incredibly valuable given how uncertain the job market can be these days. I'm definitely submitting our FAFSA this week! One follow-up question for those who've been through this - should we be completing it before she submits all her college applications, or is it okay to do it after? I want to make sure we don't miss any early scholarship consideration deadlines. Thanks again for potentially saving us from a very expensive mistake!