I'm jumping in here as someone who just successfully resolved this exact same issue! One method that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking the "FAFSA Data Review" section under "My Aid" - my SAI actually appeared there first before showing up anywhere else. Also, if you're still struggling after trying all these amazing suggestions, there's one more backup option: contact your state's Department of Education financial aid office. They often have direct access to federal FAFSA databases and can sometimes provide your SAI over the phone faster than going through Federal Student Aid directly. You can usually find their contact info by searching "[your state] Department of Education financial aid." For immediate relief with your scholarship deadline, I'd also suggest asking the committee if they'll accept a "FAFSA Completion Certificate" - this is different from the regular confirmation email and sometimes includes preliminary financial information that can substitute for the SAI while you wait for the official calculation. The new FAFSA system has definitely been a nightmare for so many of us this year, but reading through all the incredible advice in this thread shows you have tons of options to try. You're going to get this figured out! The fact that you submitted early and got processing confirmation means you did everything right - this is 100% a system issue, not anything you did wrong. Keep us posted on your success! 🌟

Hi Maria! I just went through this exact same frustrating experience last month and totally understand your panic! One thing that finally worked for me was checking the "FAFSA Verification Worksheet" section - sometimes your SAI appears there even when it's not showing up in the regular SAR or dashboard areas. Also, since you're cutting it really close with your 10-day deadline, here's what I'd recommend doing tonight: log into your college's student portal (if they have one) and look for any financial aid sections. Many schools can pull your SAI directly from the federal database before it appears on StudentAid.gov. My school's portal showed my SAI a full week before the federal site updated! If you still can't find it after trying all the amazing suggestions in this thread, call your college's financial aid office first thing tomorrow and ask them to check their "Institutional ISIR" system. They can often see your SAI immediately and give it to you over the phone. For your scholarship applications, definitely reach out proactively to explain the situation. Use language like "experiencing SAI calculation delays due to the new FAFSA Simplification Act implementation" - this shows you understand it's a known system issue. Most committees are being super flexible about this since it's affecting so many students. Don't stress too much - you submitted early and got confirmation, so you did everything right! This is 100% a technical issue with the new system, not anything you messed up. The fact that this thread has so many helpful responses shows you're definitely not alone. You've got this! 💪

Hey Hugo! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through this entire thread and it's been incredibly helpful for understanding FAFSA complications. Your situation really resonates with me since I'm also dealing with separated parents and wasn't sure which one to use on my application. What really stands out from all the excellent advice you've received is that switching parents isn't about trying to get better aid - it's about following the federal requirements correctly. Since you've been living with your dad for the past year, using his information is exactly what you're supposed to do according to the guidelines. I love all the practical tips people shared about gathering documentation proactively, having court documents ready if needed, and even calling the financial aid office ahead of time. The fact that you never actually received aid before definitely makes this a cleaner situation too. It's so reassuring to see how supportive and knowledgeable this community is - everyone's real-world experiences and advice have turned what seemed like an overwhelming problem into a clear action plan. Thanks for asking this question and starting such an informative discussion! Good luck with your FAFSA submission and starting college this semester.

Hey Hugo! As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire discussion has been to follow! Your situation really highlights something I think a lot of students face but don't always know how to handle. What's been most reassuring to me as someone also navigating FAFSA complications is seeing how consistently everyone has emphasized that you're absolutely doing the right thing by switching to your dad's information since you've been living with him for the past year. This isn't a loophole or gaming the system - it's literally what federal regulations require when your living situation changes. I love all the practical advice that's been shared here about gathering documentation proactively, having your dad's FSA ID ready, and even reaching out to your school's financial aid office ahead of time to explain your circumstances. The fact that you never actually received disbursed aid using your mom's information definitely simplifies things too. This thread has really opened my eyes to how common these family situations are and how manageable they can be when you approach them honestly and come prepared. Thanks for asking such an important question that's clearly helping multiple people understand these tricky FAFSA scenarios. Best of luck with your submission and starting college this semester!

As a newcomer to this community, I just have to say this thread has been an absolute lifesaver! I was literally up at 3 AM last night having the exact same panic attack as the original poster - completely convinced I was doomed because I thought I needed my 2024 taxes filed to submit my FAFSA. The "prior-prior year" explanation has been such a game-changer! I had no idea that the 2025-2026 FAFSA uses 2023 tax information instead of the most recent year. It makes so much sense from a practical standpoint - eliminates that impossible rush to file current taxes just to meet financial aid deadlines. What I really love about this community is how everyone shares their genuine experiences, from those middle-of-the-night panic sessions to the moment of relief when everything clicks. Reading through all these stories made me realize I'm definitely not alone in finding this process confusing initially. The mix of personal experiences and professional insight from the financial aid office worker creates such a well-rounded understanding that you just can't get from official websites. The practical tips about having documents organized and being able to make corrections later are exactly what I needed to hear. I went from feeling like my financial aid chances were completely ruined to actually feeling confident about starting my application this week. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - this community is exactly what stressed students like us need!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have stumbled across this thread! I was literally having the same exact panic - thinking I needed my 2024 taxes done for my FAFSA and spiraling because I haven't even started them yet with my deadline approaching. The "prior-prior year" explanation is such a relief! It actually makes perfect sense that they'd use 2023 tax data to give everyone adequate time instead of creating this impossible crunch. I already have my 2023 return filed, so I can move forward with confidence. What really stands out to me is how supportive everyone is here - from sharing those relatable 2 AM panic moments to getting professional insights from someone who actually works in financial aid. It's exactly the kind of real-world guidance that official websites don't provide. The practical tips about document organization and being able to make corrections later are game-changers for overthinkers like me. I went from feeling completely behind and stressed to actually excited to tackle my FAFSA application. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this community is exactly what I needed to find during this overwhelming process!

Dylan, I went through a very similar situation a few years ago and can share what worked for me. First, definitely file your FAFSA - military benefits don't disqualify you from federal aid, they just get factored into your financial aid package. I was able to get a small Pell Grant even while using military benefits. For your existing loans, here's what I'd prioritize: 1) Apply for the SCRA interest rate reduction immediately (drops rates to 6% max while on active duty), 2) Get on an income-driven repayment plan and submit the PSLF employment certification form, 3) Look into military deferment options for your current loans. The smartest strategy I found was using Tuition Assistance for my bachelor's degree while saving the GI Bill for graduate school later. TA covers up to $4,500/year and doesn't touch your GI Bill benefits at all. Your base education office can walk you through the application process. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - payment history, certification forms, correspondence with loan servicers. The military loan programs can be bureaucratic, but they're worth it if you stay organized. Feel free to ask if you need clarification on any of these steps!

Dylan, I'm a veteran who successfully navigated this exact situation a few years ago. Here's my take: definitely pursue both FAFSA and military benefits - they complement each other rather than compete. For your existing loans, get on an income-driven repayment plan ASAP and start the PSLF process. Your military pay will count as income for IDR calculations, but the payments are usually manageable. Don't forget about the SCRA benefit to reduce your interest rates to 6% while on active duty - you have to request it from each servicer individually. For education planning, use Tuition Assistance first (saves your GI Bill), then apply any FAFSA grants on top. I was able to get my bachelor's degree completely covered this way and saved my full GI Bill for law school later. The key is starting early and staying organized - create a timeline for when to apply for each benefit and keep copies of everything. Your base education office and financial counselor are invaluable resources, so definitely schedule appointments with both. The system seems complex but it's designed to help you succeed - just takes some patience and paperwork!

Just joined this community and wow, what a relief to find this thread! I'm also dealing with PA grant delays - mine has been stuck in draft status for about 6 weeks now. I was honestly starting to panic thinking I had made some error on my application or missed a required step. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring and informative. The explanation about PHEAA adjusting their systems due to the FAFSA Simplification Act makes so much sense now - I had no idea that was causing all these processing delays. @Morita Montoya thank you for that detailed insider perspective about the batch processing and timeline expectations, it really helps to know what's actually happening behind the scenes. I'm definitely going to try that PHEAA calculator while I wait instead of just stressing about the unknown. It's amazing how helpful and supportive this community is for getting real answers when the official channels are so hard to reach. Fingers crossed all our applications start moving through the system soon!

Just joined this community and found this thread at the perfect time! My PA grant has been stuck in draft status for about 4 weeks now and I was starting to get really worried that something was wrong with my application. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a huge relief - I had no idea about the FAFSA Simplification Act causing all these processing delays with PHEAA. @Morita Montoya thank you so much for that detailed explanation about the batch processing and timeline expectations. It really helps to have that insider perspective from someone who works in financial aid. And @Atticus Domingo the information about the 6-8 week processing time makes total sense now. I'm definitely going to try that PHEAA calculator while I wait instead of just stressing about the unknown. It's incredible how supportive this community is for getting actual answers when it's impossible to get through to PHEAA on the phone. Hoping all our applications start moving through the system soon!