Just want to add one more thing that might help - when you do submit your FAFSA, make sure to check each school's financial aid portal afterward to see if they need any additional documents. Some schools require verification or have their own supplemental forms even after you submit FAFSA. I learned this the hard way when one of my schools almost didn't process my aid package because I missed their deadline for additional paperwork. Good luck with your applications!

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can confirm what others have said - the order only matters for state aid programs, not federal aid. Since you're in Michigan, definitely put your top Michigan public university first to maximize your state grant eligibility. I'd suggest ordering them: 1) Top choice Michigan public school, 2) Other Michigan schools, 3) Out-of-state/private schools by preference. Also, don't stress too much about the exact order of your private schools - focus more on meeting all the deadlines and making sure you complete any school-specific requirements. The FAFSA is just the first step!

Did you ever get this fixed?? I'm dealing with something similar now and pulling my hair out!

So glad to hear you got it resolved! I'm a financial aid counselor and I always recommend families dealing with SSN mix-ups to get that FSA case number and agent notes like you did. For anyone else reading this thread - the key is getting the official documentation that there was a technical issue, not user error. This helps immensely when schools are reviewing aid applications that seem "late" due to processing delays. Niko, make sure to forward those case numbers to your twins' schools' financial aid offices along with a brief explanation. Most schools will note your file and ensure you're not penalized for the delay. The new FAFSA system has had so many of these technical glitches this year that most aid offices are very understanding about documented processing issues.

Update: My Student Aid Report came through! My SAI is 4,289 - is that considered high or low? What kind of aid might I qualify for with this number?

That's awesome that your SAR came through so quickly! An SAI of 4,289 is definitely on the lower side, which means you should qualify for decent financial aid. For reference, the maximum Pell Grant eligibility usually goes up to an SAI around 7,000-7,500 (depending on the year), so you're well within that range. You'll probably get some Pell Grant money, subsidized loans where the government pays interest while you're in school, and potentially work-study opportunities. The exact amount will depend on each school's cost of attendance, but you're in a good position! Make sure to keep an eye out for your financial aid award letters from the schools you applied to - they should start coming in soon.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. Based on all your advice, since this is definitely a custodial UTMA account, I'll report it as my daughter's asset on the FAFSA. I'm also considering using some of the funds to purchase a laptop for her before filing, since she'll need one for college anyway. This community has been incredibly helpful - navigating financial aid is so confusing!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help others - if you're dealing with custodial accounts and worried about the FAFSA impact, you might want to consult with a fee-only financial planner who specializes in college planning. They can help you understand strategies like the timing of asset liquidation or even whether it makes sense to transfer custodial assets back to parent ownership in some cases (though there are tax implications). I learned this the hard way after already filing, but it's worth the consultation fee to get personalized advice based on your specific situation and timeline.

I'm having this exact same problem! Been locked out for the past 4 days trying to complete my Parent PLUS loan application. The "unknown error" message appears right after I enter my FSA ID, just like everyone else here. This thread has been such a relief to find - I was genuinely starting to think my account was permanently broken or something was wrong with my information. Reading through all these solutions gives me so much hope! I'm definitely going to try the 2am login approach tonight since it worked for Taylor and so many others. If that doesn't work, I'll do the password reset and 30-minute wait method that Ezra outlined. My school's financial aid office deadline is in 9 days, so I have some breathing room but the stress is definitely building. Thanks everyone for sharing actual working solutions instead of just venting - this community has been infinitely more helpful than trying to get through to FSA support! Really appreciate having proven strategies to try now.

I'm experiencing this exact same issue! Been locked out for the past 3 days trying to submit my updated income information and keep getting that "unknown error" right after entering my FSA ID. This thread has been such a lifesaver to find - I was starting to panic thinking something was permanently wrong with my account. Reading through everyone's solutions really gives me hope that this is fixable! I'm definitely going to try the 2am login approach tonight since it worked so well for Taylor and so many others here. If that doesn't work, I'll do the full password reset and 30-minute wait method that Ezra suggested. My priority deadline is coming up in 7 days so I'm feeling the pressure, but at least now I have actual proven strategies to try instead of just randomly attempting to log in all day. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked - this community support has been way more helpful than hours trying to get through to FSA support!