update?? did anything work?? im curious because we're having similar issues now with my younger daughter's fafsa

Wow, thank you so much for sharing that update! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now and was getting really frustrated. My spouse has been trying to access the contributor section on his phone for days with no luck. I'm going to have him try on our desktop computer tonight instead. It's ridiculous that the mobile version doesn't work properly - so many parents probably only have their phones available. Really glad you got it sorted out before your daughter's deadline!

As a parent who just went through this exact situation last year, I wanted to share something that really helped us that I haven't seen mentioned yet - **community college emergency grants**. Many CCs have small emergency fund programs (usually $200-800) for unexpected expenses that can help bridge gaps when you're paying out of pocket. Also, if your son is interested in any specific career path, reach out to local businesses in that field directly. We found that many small businesses offer informal "sponsorships" or internship programs that include tuition assistance, especially in trades and healthcare. They're often not advertised anywhere but are happy to help when approached directly. The other thing that saved us money was registering for classes as early as possible - many CCs offer early registration discounts or waive certain fees for students who register before specific deadlines. Emily, I'm so glad you got through to financial aid and have options to explore! The Professional Judgment process really can make a difference when your circumstances have changed. Wishing you and your son the best of luck!

I'm a financial aid counselor at a community college, and I see families with high SAI situations like yours frequently. Here are a few additional strategies that might help: **Institutional payment plans** - Most CCs offer 3-4 month payment plans with little to no interest, which can make that $12K much more manageable by spreading it across the semester. **Work-study alternatives** - Even without qualifying for federal work-study, many community colleges have their own student employment programs. Campus jobs often pay above minimum wage and work around class schedules. **Stackable credentials** - If your son is in a technical program, look into earning industry certifications alongside his degree. Some employers will reimburse certification costs, and having credentials can lead to higher-paying part-time work during school. **Transfer scholarship prep** - Since he's planning to transfer after 2 years, maintain a high GPA at CC. Many 4-year universities offer significant transfer scholarships (sometimes full tuition) for students with 3.5+ GPAs from community colleges. Your Professional Judgment appeal sounds promising given your reduced work hours. Make sure to include documentation of any other financial changes too - medical expenses, dependent care costs, etc. The more complete picture you can provide, the better. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - the stress of seeing your SAI nearly triple must be overwhelming! As a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all these responses and it's clear that the FAFSA Simplification Act has created chaos for families with multiple students in college. From what everyone has shared, it sounds like you have a solid action plan forming. I'd add one more suggestion: when you're preparing for those financial aid office meetings, consider bringing a "family impact statement" that shows exactly how this SAI increase affects your household budget. Include things like your monthly expenses, other financial obligations, and how you've been planning your finances based on previous aid levels. Also, don't forget to ask about work-study opportunities for your kids if they're not already participating. Sometimes when federal aid decreases, schools can offer additional campus employment to help bridge the gap. The fact that so many families are experiencing this exact same problem suggests that schools and policymakers will eventually have to address the unintended consequences of these formula changes. In the meantime, keep pushing for every available resource - institutional aid, state programs, employer benefits, and community scholarships. You're clearly a dedicated parent who's willing to fight for your kids' education. With all the great advice shared here, I'm optimistic you'll find some solutions. Please keep us updated on your progress!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's absolutely devastating when financial aid changes so dramatically without warning! As someone new to this community, I've been following similar stories and it's clear the FAFSA Simplification Act has created major problems for families with multiple kids in college. From reading all the excellent advice here, it sounds like the reduced sibling discount is likely the main culprit for your SAI jump. The old system essentially divided your contribution when you had multiple students, but the new formula provides much less relief for families in your situation. Here's what I'd recommend based on what others have shared: 1. Contact both schools' financial aid offices immediately and specifically ask for a "professional judgment coordinator" or "appeals specialist" - they have more authority than regular staff 2. Prepare a detailed comparison of your financial information from last year vs. this year to demonstrate consistency 3. Ask specifically about "FAFSA transition assistance" or institutional funds set aside for families affected by the formula changes 4. Consider creating a "family impact statement" showing exactly how this increase affects your household budget Don't give up hope! Many schools anticipated these issues and have resources available, but you often have to ask specifically. The fact that so many families are experiencing this exact problem means schools are becoming more equipped to help. You're absolutely right to feel frustrated - changing the rules mid-game without adequate communication to families was really unfair. Keep advocating for your kids and please update us on what solutions you're able to find!

I'm new to this community and just encountered this exact same asset screen loop issue with my son's FAFSA! We've been stuck for two days trying everything we could think of. Reading through this thread has been such a lifesaver - I had no idea this was a widespread technical bug. We're going to try the whole dollar amounts solution first thing in the morning since it seems to have worked for so many families here. It's incredibly frustrating that such a simple formatting issue can create such a major roadblock in something as important as financial aid applications. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and solutions. This community support makes all the difference when you're dealing with these stressful technical problems. I'll definitely update everyone on whether the whole dollar fix works for us too!

I'm new to this community but currently dealing with this exact asset screen loop problem! My daughter and I have been stuck on this for three days now and it's been so frustrating. We kept thinking we were making some kind of mistake, but after reading through all these experiences, it's such a relief to know this is a widespread technical bug. The whole dollar amounts solution seems to be the most consistently successful fix based on everyone's stories here. We're going to try that approach tomorrow morning - just enter $750 instead of $750.23 for her checking account. I'm also going to make sure we clear our browser cache completely and verify that all our family verification steps are actually complete like others suggested. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their solutions and experiences - this community support makes navigating these technical nightmares so much more manageable. I'll definitely report back on whether the whole dollar fix works for us too!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! As someone who went through a similar situation, I can tell you that the insurance settlement is almost certainly what threw off your calculation. The FAFSA system doesn't automatically recognize one-time payments like settlements as different from regular income, which is why your SAI came out so high. Here's what worked for me: I contacted the financial aid office and asked specifically for a "Special Circumstances Review" form. I had to provide documentation showing the settlement was for medical expenses/damages from the accident and that it wasn't recurring income. I also wrote a letter explaining our actual financial situation and how the settlement was already mostly spent on medical bills and car repairs. The key is to be persistent but polite. Don't let them brush you off with "that's what the formula calculated" - they have the authority to make adjustments for situations exactly like yours. Most schools want to help students attend, they just need the proper documentation to justify the aid increase. Good luck with the appeal process!

I'm a financial aid administrator and want to add some clarity about appeals timing. Most schools process Special Circumstances appeals within 7-14 business days, but complex cases involving settlements can take up to 30 days. Each school evaluates independently - they don't share appeal decisions, so you'll need to submit documentation separately to each institution. One thing to emphasize in your appeal letter: explain how the settlement funds were actually used. If they went toward medical bills, vehicle replacement, or other expenses related to the accident, include receipts if you have them. This shows the money isn't available for educational expenses. Also, don't wait for one school's decision before submitting to others. Start the appeal process immediately at all schools where your daughter was accepted. Many have April deadlines for special circumstances reviews, and you want to give yourself maximum time before her May 1 enrollment deadline. The good news is that with proper documentation, your case should be relatively straightforward to resolve. Insurance settlements are a common issue we see, and most aid administrators are familiar with how to handle them.