As someone who made a similar mistake two years ago (mixed up SSNs instead of names), I wanted to add that once you get your correction processed, make sure to print and save copies of EVERYTHING - the corrected FAFSA, the SAR, and any correspondence from FSA. My son's school initially processed aid based on the incorrect application even after FSA had corrected it, and having those printed documents saved us weeks of back-and-forth. Also, if your daughter has any other schools she's considering, reach out to their financial aid offices proactively to let them know about the correction. Some schools can put a note in their system to watch for the updated information. The whole process is stressful but you're handling it exactly right by being persistent and documenting everything!

Wow, what a comprehensive thread! As someone who's been lurking in this community for a while but never posted, I had to jump in because this exact scenario is my biggest fear as I'm preparing to fill out my son's FAFSA for the first time next month. Dylan, your experience and everyone's responses have been incredibly educational - I'm taking notes on everything from setting up separate FSA IDs to using Claimyr for phone support. The fact that this is such a common mistake actually makes me feel better, knowing there are established solutions. I'm definitely going to have my son sit with me when we fill it out so we can double-check everything together. Thank you all for being so helpful and supportive - this community is amazing!

Update: I spoke with someone at Federal Student Aid (finally!) and they confirmed it was due to the FAFSA Simplification Act changes that happened between when I submitted the two applications. The November application was processed under transitional rules that still gave some benefit for multiple students in college, while the January application used the new formula that eliminated this benefit. They advised me to file a correction on both applications and then contact each school's financial aid office for a professional judgment review. The aid officer said many families are in this situation this year due to the transition. Thanks everyone for your help!

Thanks for sharing your experience and the update! This is such valuable information for other families going through the same thing. I'm dealing with a similar situation where my two kids got different aid packages despite identical family circumstances. It's incredibly frustrating that the Department of Education didn't communicate these transition issues more clearly to families. We're basically finding out about these formula changes after the fact when our aid packages don't make sense. I'm definitely going to follow your advice and file corrections for both applications, then request professional judgment reviews. Did the schools' financial aid offices seem familiar with this issue when you contacted them?

This entire thread is such a valuable resource for families dealing with FAFSA issues! As a financial aid counselor at a community college, I see these kinds of data entry errors all the time, and they're unfortunately becoming more common with the new FAFSA system. The home value error that caused Bethany's twins to have such different SAIs is a perfect example of how sensitive these calculations are. I always tell families to print out their FAFSA summary and review it carefully before submitting - look for any numbers that seem obviously wrong or out of place. Another tip: if you have multiple children, complete their applications back-to-back so the information is fresh in your mind and you're less likely to make different errors on each one. It's also worth noting that schools can often help resolve these discrepancies faster than FSA, so don't hesitate to contact their financial aid offices directly with documentation showing the error.

As someone new to the FAFSA process, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that such small data entry errors could cause such massive differences in SAI calculations. The fact that a single missing digit in the home value caused nearly a 1200-point difference between twins is both shocking and educational. I'm definitely going to be extra paranoid about double-checking every single field when I fill out my daughter's FAFSA next year. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - especially the tip about using Claimyr to actually get through to FSA. The wait times have been brutal this year! It's reassuring to know that these errors can be fixed once identified, even though it's frustrating that the system doesn't have better validation to catch them in the first place.

One thing I wish someone had told me when my son was in a similar situation - if he's leaning toward trade school, try to visit the financial aid offices in person if possible, especially for programs that aren't at traditional colleges. I found that trade school financial aid counselors were way more helpful face-to-face than over the phone, and they could walk us through exactly how their aid packages work with FAFSA. Also, some trade schools have their own scholarships and grants that are separate from federal aid, but you might miss out on them if you don't know to ask. They don't always advertise these opportunities widely. When we visited welding programs, one school mentioned a $2,000 scholarship for early applicants that wasn't even on their website! The early graduation timeline is actually kind of a blessing in disguise - you have more time to research and compare options than families scrambling during senior year. Use that extra time to really dig into the financial details of each path he's considering.

Another thing to consider - if your son is thinking about trade school, look into whether the programs he's interested in qualify for state-specific financial aid in addition to federal FAFSA. Many states have their own grant programs for vocational training that can really help cover costs, but they often have earlier deadlines than federal aid. Also, since he's graduating early, make sure to get official transcripts sent to any schools he applies to as soon as his summer school credit posts. Some trade programs fill up quickly and process applications on a rolling basis, so having all his paperwork ready to go can be a real advantage. One last tip from our experience - if he's considering military service, he might want to look into whether any of the trade programs he's interested in offer college credit that could transfer later when he uses his GI Bill benefits. Some programs are set up specifically to give veterans a head start on related degree programs. It could be a win-win situation where he gets hands-on training now and a degree pathway for later!

As someone who works in financial aid, I want to emphasize a few key points that haven't been mentioned yet: 1. **Income timing matters** - Since you'll be filing FAFSA using 2023 tax info for the 2025-26 school year, any major income changes (job loss, pay cuts, etc.) can be addressed through Professional Judgment appeals once you're accepted to schools. 2. **State aid deadlines** - Don't just focus on federal deadlines! Many states have their own grant programs with earlier deadlines. Check your state's higher education website now. 3. **School-specific aid** - Each college has its own institutional aid budget. Schools that meet "100% of demonstrated need" are game-changers for single parents, even if they seem expensive upfront. 4. **Dependency override** - In very rare circumstances, students can be considered independent even if under 24. This typically requires documentation of abuse, abandonment, or other extreme situations. The new FAFSA really has simplified things for families like yours. You're asking the right questions at the right time - that puts you ahead of many families who wait until senior year panic mode!

Carmen, you're getting fantastic advice here! As another single mom who just went through this process, I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me: **Document organization NOW**: Create a dedicated FAFSA folder (physical or digital) and start collecting documents early. I kept copies of tax returns, bank statements, and pay stubs all in one place. When FAFSA opened, I was ready to go on Day 1. **Don't forget about work-study**: Federal Work-Study is often overlooked but it's a great way for students to earn money while in school without it counting against future FAFSA calculations like regular jobs do. **Apply broadly**: We applied to 8 schools with varying aid reputations. My daughter's final choice ended up being her "safety" school because they offered the best package - sometimes the less prestigious schools are more generous to attract good students. **FAFSA opens October 1st now, not December** - I think there might be some outdated info in this thread. Double-check the current dates! The process is overwhelming but you're starting early which is huge. My biggest regret was not applying to enough schools because I was intimidated by application fees - most schools waive fees for families who qualify for free/reduced lunch, so don't let that stop you!