I'm so sorry this happened to your son and it's alarming how many families are experiencing the same issue with 2005-born students. As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all these responses and I'm really grateful everyone is sharing their experiences and solutions. I wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through to the IRS, you might also try calling early in the morning (around 7 AM local time) when they first open - that's when call volumes are typically lowest. Also, the Taxpayer Advocate Service (1-877-777-4778) can sometimes help expedite identity theft cases when regular channels aren't working. For anyone else reading this thread, it might be worth checking if your state has additional identity theft resources. Some states have their own victim assistance programs that can help coordinate between federal agencies and provide additional documentation that colleges might accept. Stay strong - it sounds like you're taking all the right steps and advocating well for your son!

This is incredibly concerning and I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this. As someone new to navigating financial aid, reading through this thread has been both eye-opening and terrifying. The pattern of 2005-born students being targeted really does suggest something systemic happened. I wanted to add one resource that might help: if you're still struggling to get through to the IRS, you can also file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) online through the IRS website rather than trying to do it over the phone. This creates an official paper trail and case number that you can reference when calling. Also, for anyone else dealing with this - document EVERYTHING. Keep screenshots of your son's original FAFSA submission, save all correspondence, and maintain a timeline of events. If this really is a widespread breach, having detailed records could be crucial for any potential class action or federal investigation. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and solutions in this thread. It's helping families like mine understand what to watch for and how to protect ourselves. Sending strength to all the families dealing with this nightmare!

Congratulations Mary! This is such a relief to read. I'm currently dealing with a similar situation with my son's FAFSA - his father hasn't been in the picture for 3 years and the verification process has been a nightmare. Your step-by-step breakdown is incredibly helpful. I'm going to try the Claimyr service tomorrow and request the "Non-Custodial Parent Contribution Waiver" using your exact wording. It's so frustrating that the right terminology makes such a huge difference when you're already stressed about deadlines and your child's future. Thank you for taking the time to share what worked - this gives me hope that we can get through this too!

This thread is so valuable! As someone who works in higher education, I see families struggle with this exact issue constantly. Mary, your success story is going to help so many other parents who are dealing with non-cooperative ex-spouses. One additional tip for anyone reading this: if you're still having trouble after requesting the Non-Custodial Parent Contribution Waiver, ask the financial aid office about their appeals timeline. Some schools have multiple review periods, and if you miss one deadline, you might have to wait weeks for the next review committee meeting. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING you submit - financial aid documents have a way of getting "lost" in the system, especially during busy periods. The persistence really pays off in these situations. Don't give up if the first person you talk to doesn't seem to understand your situation!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same stress! My son's SAI jumped to $31,200 from last year's EFC of $18,400, but he also received Work-Study eligibility. I was absolutely terrified when I first saw that number - it felt like we'd gone from having some hope for aid to being completely priced out. But reading through all these responses has been incredibly reassuring. It's clear that so many families are experiencing these dramatic jumps in their numbers, and the Work-Study eligibility seems to be a consistent positive indicator across all our situations. The advice about waiting for individual school aid packages really makes sense - apparently the colleges have much more flexibility than the federal calculations suggest. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service to get through to FSA and understand the new formula better. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - finding this community has been such a lifeline during this confusing transition to the new FAFSA system!

I'm new to this community but experiencing the exact same situation! My daughter's SAI came out to $29,800 (up from last year's EFC of $16,200) and she also received Work-Study eligibility. I was completely overwhelmed when I first saw that number - it felt like our financial aid prospects had been completely destroyed overnight. But after reading through all of your experiences, I'm feeling so much more hopeful! It's incredible how many families are dealing with these same dramatic increases, and the Work-Study eligibility really does seem to be a consistent positive sign across everyone's situations. The advice about institutional aid having much more flexibility than the federal SAI suggests is really encouraging. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service to get through to FSA and understand why our calculation changed so drastically. Thank you all for sharing your stories and creating such a supportive space - it's been invaluable to realize we're not alone in navigating this confusing transition to the new FAFSA system!

Hey Dylan, I totally get how stressful this is! An SAI of 43,762 is definitely on the higher side, but don't lose hope. Since your sister is in college too, that should have helped lower your SAI somewhat already. A few things to consider: First, definitely double-check your FAFSA for errors - retirement accounts are a common mistake that can inflate your SAI. Second, even with limited need-based aid, you'll still qualify for unsubsidized federal loans and potentially Parent PLUS loans. Third, and this is important - many schools have institutional aid that doesn't follow federal formulas. Schedule a meeting with your financial aid office ASAP to discuss your family's actual financial situation. They might have discretion to offer additional help or put you on a payment plan. Also look into merit scholarships at your school based on your academics. The SAI is just one piece of the puzzle - don't give up!

I know this feels overwhelming, but you're definitely not alone in this situation! An SAI of 43,762 does limit your need-based federal aid options, but there are still several paths forward. First, definitely have your parents review the FAFSA for any errors - retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.) should NOT be reported as assets, and this mistake alone can inflate your SAI by tens of thousands. Second, even with a high SAI, you can still get unsubsidized federal loans up to $7,500 for your sophomore year. Third, don't overlook your school's own scholarship programs - many offer merit aid based on GPA/test scores regardless of financial need. Finally, consider reaching out to your financial aid office for a professional judgment review if your family has circumstances (medical bills, job changes, etc.) that aren't reflected in your FAFSA. The system isn't perfect, but there are usually more options than it initially appears!

Just to add some specific numbers to this discussion: a $390K difference in reported assets could change your SAI by approximately $22,000 using the federal methodology (about 5.64% of the additional assets). That's potentially significant for aid eligibility, especially at schools that closely follow federal formulas. But the impact varies dramatically depending on your income level. If your income is above certain thresholds, many schools will consider you non-need eligible regardless of the asset correction. If your income is moderate, this correction could make a substantial difference in grant eligibility. After making the correction online, I recommend: 1. Save/print confirmation of the correction 2. Email each school's financial aid office with your daughter's name, ID number, and a brief explanation 3. Follow up by phone in 7-10 days if you don't see updated aid packages 4. If a school seems reluctant to adjust, request a professional judgment review based on the corrected information Most importantly, don't assume the correction will automatically flow through the system perfectly - be proactive with each school.

I work as a financial aid advisor and see this mistake frequently - you're definitely not alone! The good news is that retirement account errors are among the easier corrections to make and schools are very familiar with handling them. A few practical tips from my experience: 1. When you make the online correction, take screenshots of each step and save the confirmation page 2. Create a simple one-page summary showing "Original FAFSA: $490K investments" and "Corrected FAFSA: $100K investments (retirement accounts excluded: $390K)" 3. Include this summary when you contact schools - it makes it crystal clear what changed For contacting schools, I'd recommend calling first to speak with a counselor, then follow up with email containing your documentation. Many offices are swamped right now, so being persistent (but polite) is key. Also worth noting: some schools have their own institutional aid forms or may use CSS Profile data, so make sure any retirement account errors are corrected across all forms your daughter's schools require. You caught this mistake, which puts you ahead of many families who never realize the error. With proactive follow-up, this should be completely fixable before decision deadlines!