Congrats on getting it processed! This is such a helpful thread for anyone else dealing with the same issue. It's reassuring to see that the "In Review" status really is just part of the normal wait time, even when it feels like forever. For future reference, it sounds like 3-4 weeks is pretty typical this year with all the system changes. Thanks for updating us with the good news!

So glad to see this worked out! I'm currently on week 2 of "In Review" status and this whole thread has been incredibly reassuring. It's frustrating how the FAFSA system doesn't give you any indication of what's happening behind the scenes - just that vague "In Review" message with no timeline. Reading everyone's experiences here shows that patience really is key, even though it's nerve-wracking when deadlines are approaching. Thanks for sharing your journey and the happy ending!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now with my son's financial aid package! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. One additional resource I found useful was checking if our state has any last-minute scholarship opportunities that open up in the spring semester - sometimes local organizations have leftover funds they distribute in January/February that could reduce the need for that unsubsidized loan. Also, I wanted to mention that some schools offer emergency grants or work-study positions that become available second semester when other students drop out or graduate early. It might be worth asking the financial aid office about these options when you send that documentation email everyone's recommending. Your approach of being strategic about debt while keeping options open is exactly what more families should be doing. The fact that you're thinking this through so carefully now will definitely pay off later!

As a parent who just navigated this same decision process last month, I wanted to share what worked for us! My daughter was in an almost identical situation - needed the subsidized loan for fall but wasn't sure about the unsubsidized portion for spring. Here's what we learned: definitely leave the unsubsidized loan as "undecided" rather than declining it, and make sure to send a quick email to the financial aid office explaining your plan. We did this and it made the spring semester process completely smooth when we ended up needing part of the unsubsidized loan. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - ask the financial aid office if they send out any mid-year reminders about undecided aid. Our school sent a helpful email in December asking if we wanted to activate any pending loans for spring, which was a nice prompt to make our final decision. Also, since you're waiting on scholarship decisions, you might want to ask those scholarship organizations about their notification timeline. Some of them were able to give us a more specific date range when we called, which helped with our planning. Your strategy is spot-on - minimize debt while keeping options open. The interest savings from avoiding the unsubsidized loan (if the scholarships come through) will definitely be worth this extra planning effort!

Thank you all so much for your insights! After reading everything, we've decided to: 1. Take ALL the subsidized loans offered (that no-interest while in school benefit is too good to pass up) 2. Take the unsubsidized federal loans as well, for the flexibility and protections 3. Look at private loans only if we still have a gap after scholarships and the federal loans 4. Consider refinancing the unsubsidized portion after graduation if he's in a stable financial position This community has been so helpful in showing me what the financial aid package doesn't make clear. Those protections are worth far more than the slightly lower interest rate!

Smart decision! You've really done your homework here and that's exactly the strategy I wish more families would follow. Just one additional tip from someone who went through this process - make sure to keep detailed records of all your loan documents and servicer contact info. Federal loan servicers sometimes change, and having your own records makes transitions much smoother. Also, when your son graduates, don't rush into refinancing right away. Give him 6-12 months to establish his career and credit history first - you'll likely get better refinancing rates and terms. Congratulations on making such a well-informed decision for your son's future!

btw has anyome noticed the SAI calcs r totally different this yr? our expected contribution went up like 5k from last yr with basically same income??

As someone who just went through this decision process last year, I want to echo what others have said about maxing out Direct Student loans first. The math really is compelling - that 2%+ interest rate difference adds up to thousands over a 10-year repayment period. One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: if your daughter qualifies for subsidized loans (based on financial need), those are even better since the government pays the interest while she's in school. My son got $3,500 in subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized for his freshman year. Also, regarding your refinance concerns - the Parent PLUS inquiry will likely cause a temporary small dip in your credit score, but if you're not planning to refinance for several months, that should recover. However, the ongoing monthly payment obligation will definitely factor into your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders scrutinize heavily for mortgage refinancing. We ended up doing exactly what you're considering - daughter took max student loans, we help with payments, and avoided Parent PLUS entirely. So far it's worked out well financially and she's building her credit history with on-time payments.

One last tip - SAVE ALL YOUR FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS! Create a folder on your computer and save every email, letter, and document they send you. You'll need them for taxes, future FAFSA applications, and if there are ever any disputes about what was promised vs what was delivered. The system is a mess and you need to protect yourself with documentation.

As someone who was also completely lost my first year, I want to emphasize something really important - you don't have to accept ALL the loans they offer you! I made that mistake and borrowed way more than I actually needed. Here's what helped me understand my aid package: Look for anything labeled "grant" or "scholarship" - that's the free money you don't pay back. Everything else (Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan, etc.) are loans you'll need to repay. Also, consider starting at a community college for your first two years if cost is a major concern. You can knock out general education requirements for a fraction of the cost, then transfer to a four-year school. I wish someone had told me that option when I was stressing about loans! Don't let the complexity scare you away from college - just make sure you understand what you're signing up for before you sign anything.