So glad to see this resolved! The mobile app workaround is definitely something more people need to know about. I'm bookmarking this thread because I know I'll be helping other families with FAFSA issues over the next few months. The fact that basic editing functionality works differently (or doesn't work at all) between the website and mobile app really shows how rushed this rollout was. Hopefully they'll get these bugs fixed soon, but in the meantime at least we have community solutions like this!

I'm so frustrated with this exact same issue! Been stuck for days trying to edit my son's FAFSA before submitting. The mobile app tip is brilliant - downloading it now. It's crazy that we have to resort to workarounds for basic functionality that should just work. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions, this is way more helpful than the official support has been!

This is such a relief to read! I'm in the exact same situation with my son's FAFSA - it's been showing "processed" for 6 days now and I've been checking multiple times daily to see if corrections become available. We also need to update some tax information, and I was starting to panic thinking something was wrong with our application. Seeing that it took exactly 8 business days for Justin and that this is completely normal makes me feel so much better. I'll stop obsessively checking and just wait it out. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! My daughter's FAFSA has been showing "processed" for 5 days and I keep trying to make corrections but getting that same "corrections unavailable" message. Reading through everyone's experiences here is so helpful - I had no idea this lockout period was normal. I was starting to think we did something wrong or that the system was broken. It's reassuring to know this is just part of the process and that corrections will become available automatically in a few more days. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines!

Thank you all so much for the helpful responses! I feel much better understanding that we need to wait for the award letters but can at least estimate using the SAI as a starting point. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service to talk to someone at FSA and get more specific information about what federal aid she'll qualify for. Really appreciate everyone's help!

Also keep in mind that some schools have merit scholarships that aren't need-based! These won't show up in your FAFSA calculations but can significantly reduce your costs. Many colleges automatically consider admitted students for merit aid based on GPA/test scores, while others require separate applications. With your daughter applying to schools ranging from $22k-$41k, the merit aid policies will vary widely. I'd recommend checking each school's scholarship page and calling their financial aid offices directly - sometimes they have deadlines for additional scholarship applications that aren't widely advertised. Good luck with the process!

This thread is so helpful as someone just starting to navigate this maze! My daughter got into her first-choice school and we paid the deposit last week, but I've been losing sleep over the loan decisions. Reading everyone's experiences has really calmed my nerves - especially learning that federal loan deadlines are typically much later than enrollment deposits. I'm definitely going to call the financial aid office tomorrow to get our specific deadlines in writing, and I love the tip about accepting the full loan amount initially and then reducing it later if needed. It's such a relief to know we're not alone in finding this process overwhelming and confusing. Thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences - it's exactly what anxious parents like me need to hear!

As another newcomer to this whole financial aid process, I can't thank everyone enough for sharing their experiences! My son was just accepted to his top choice school and we're in the exact same situation - deposit paid but still weighing the loan options. I was really stressed thinking everything had to be decided by the same May 1st deadline. Reading through all these responses has been such a relief, especially learning that federal loans typically have more flexibility with timing. I'm definitely going to call the financial aid office first thing Monday morning to get our specific deadlines confirmed in writing. The advice about accepting subsidized loans early but taking more time with unsubsidized and PLUS loans makes total sense. It's so reassuring to know other families are navigating this same confusing process and that the schools generally understand we need time to make these big financial decisions!

As a newcomer to this community, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! I'm starting the FAFSA process with my daughter next month and had the exact same question about the free lunch program. Reading through all these explanations has been incredibly helpful - especially learning that the question was intentionally removed as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act and that the income information should automatically account for the same factors. The step-by-step advice about contacting schools with special circumstances letters is exactly what I needed to know. It's reassuring to see such a supportive community where people share practical tips and real experiences. I feel much more confident about navigating this process now!

As a newcomer to this community, I'm so grateful to have found this detailed discussion! My son and I were literally searching through every page of the FAFSA form last night looking for the free lunch question, and I was starting to think we had missed an entire section somehow. Reading through all the explanations here about the FAFSA Simplification Act and how the tax data now automatically captures what the free lunch question used to identify has been incredibly enlightening. My son qualified for free lunch throughout high school, and I was genuinely worried we were going to miss out on aid by not being able to report that status. The advice about preparing special circumstances letters for each school is particularly valuable - I had no idea that was even an option! I'm going to follow the checklist approach that several people mentioned and reach out to each financial aid office proactively. One quick question for the group: does anyone know if there's a typical timeline for when schools respond to these special circumstances requests? I want to make sure we submit everything early enough in their review process. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise - this community is such a valuable resource for families navigating this confusing process!