I'm going through this exact same experience right now! Just completed my daughter's FAFSA yesterday and have been questioning myself ever since because it never asked about our checking or savings accounts. I kept going back through the application thinking I must have somehow skipped pages or that there was a technical error. It's such a relief to read all these responses confirming that this is completely normal with the new system! The lack of communication from the Department of Education about these changes really caused unnecessary anxiety - even a simple notice saying "asset questions may not appear based on your financial situation" would have saved so much stress. But after learning how the new SAI calculation works by focusing on income rather than bank account balances, I'm actually really grateful for the simplification. It sounds like this could help more families like ours qualify for better aid eligibility. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community has been invaluable for a newcomer like me navigating these changes!

I'm experiencing the exact same thing! Just finished my son's FAFSA application about an hour ago and immediately started panicking when I realized it never asked about our bank accounts or savings. Like so many others here, I kept going back through every screen multiple times thinking I must have missed something crucial or accidentally skipped a section. It's incredibly reassuring to read that this is completely intentional and that literally dozens of other families have had this identical panic reaction! The Department of Education really should have included some kind of explanatory note right on the form - even something simple like "Asset questions may not appear based on your income level" would have prevented so much unnecessary stress. But after reading everyone's explanations about how the new SAI system focuses primarily on income from tax returns rather than bank account balances, I'm actually really optimistic about these changes. It sounds like this streamlined approach could genuinely help more middle-income families like ours access better financial aid for our kids. Thank you to this amazing community for helping newcomers understand that we didn't mess up our applications - this thread has been a lifesaver!

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!

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.

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.