OK so i just checked my tax forms and my 403b to IRA rollover DOES show up on line 4a but line 4b is $0. So I should have answered YES to the rollover question?? My FAFSA is already processed and my kid got her aid package. Will they take away her financial aid now??? Should I submit a correction???

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been really helpful! I did a direct 401(k) to 401(k) rollover last year when I changed jobs and was worried I might have messed up my son's FAFSA. From what I'm reading here, the key is whether it shows up on your tax return or not. I checked my 1040 and there's nothing on lines 5a or 5b, so it sounds like I answered correctly by saying "no" to the rollover question. It's frustrating how unclear the FAFSA wording is on this - they really should provide better examples or explanations for these situations that are so common when people change jobs.

Thank you all for your amazing suggestions! I feel like we have a real plan now. I'm going to: 1. Submit a Special Circumstances form with all our medical expense documentation 2. Research scholarships for siblings of people with disabilities 3. Look into the EOP and PRODiG programs 4. Contact organizations specific to my younger daughters' conditions 5. Check local scholarship opportunities 6. Use Claimyr to actually get through to a financial aid advisor 7. File an appeal after doing all of the above I'll update this thread if we have any success. Really appreciate all of your help!

Great comprehensive plan! One additional resource to consider is your state's Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired or similar disability services agencies - many have scholarship programs for siblings of people with disabilities that aren't widely publicized. Also, if your daughters receive SSI or other disability benefits, document how those payments are used for medical expenses and care - this can strengthen your Special Circumstances case since it shows the true financial burden on your family. One more thing - when you do get through to financial aid, ask specifically about work-study opportunities. Even if they can't increase grant money immediately, getting your daughter campus employment can help bridge the gap while you work on other funding sources. Keep us posted on how it goes! Stories like yours help other families navigate this confusing process.

To address your question about receiving award letters - most schools send them out between February and April. Some will send them shortly after acceptance, while others batch process them. If your daughter was accepted but hasn't received financial aid info yet, it's perfectly fine to contact the financial aid office and ask about their timeline. They can also tell you if they're missing any documents from you.

Hey Malik! Just wanted to add some reassurance - you're actually in a really good position with that negative SAI! I'm a financial aid counselor and see this all the time. That -1079 puts your daughter in the highest need category, which means schools will prioritize her for their best aid packages. A few quick tips: - Don't panic about the savings account impact - at your income level, it likely only reduced your Pell by a few hundred dollars max - Schools typically release aid packages 2-4 weeks after acceptance letters - If you get a lowball offer from a school she really wants to attend, you can always appeal with documentation of your circumstances The fact that you're being so proactive about understanding this process shows you're doing everything right. Your daughter is going to have good options!

Does anyone know if they're going to FIX this broken system with the new FAFSA changes? Or are they just making it worse like usual? I heard the whole system is changing but haven't seen ANY improvements.

I went through this exact situation last year when my daughter transferred mid-semester! Your son is absolutely right - you do need to complete a new Parent PLUS loan application for the new school. I was frustrated at first too because it seemed like unnecessary paperwork, but it actually went pretty smoothly since I already knew the process. The key thing is to make sure you have the correct school code for the new university when you apply. Also, if you're still within 180 days of your original credit check, you might not need to go through that part again. I'd recommend calling the new school's financial aid office directly to confirm exactly what they need and any specific deadlines - they were actually really helpful when I explained the transfer situation. Good luck!

my daughters fafsa took foreverrr to process even after we both signed it properly! the whole system is so broken this year 🙄

As someone who just went through this same nightmare with my daughter's FAFSA, I can totally relate to the confusion! The new system really doesn't make it clear that there are separate steps for entering information versus actually signing/submitting. I spent hours filling everything out only to realize weeks later that I never completed the electronic signature portion. The automated emails definitely don't help - they make it sound like you did nothing at all when really you just missed one final step. So glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else reading this, definitely check your own studentaid.gov account (not your student's) for any "Action Required" sections even if you think you're done.