To summarize the correct process based on the discussion: 1. You (parent) create your FSA ID with your email and phone number 2. You complete the parent section of the FAFSA 3. At the end of your section, you'll provide details for your son 4. Your son creates his own FSA ID using his own email and phone number 5. He'll receive instructions to complete his portion 6. Once both sections are completed, the FAFSA is submitted And if you run into technical issues or have questions about your SAI calculation later, remember you can contact Federal Student Aid directly or use services that help connect you with agents.

As someone who just went through this process last month, I can confirm everything James summarized is correct! One additional tip: when your son creates his FSA ID, make sure he has his Social Security card and driver's license handy for the identity verification process. The system will ask him to verify his identity using information from these documents, and having them ready will make the process much smoother. Also, don't be surprised if the FSA ID creation takes 1-3 business days to fully activate - this is normal and part of the security verification process.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I want to echo what others have said and add one more piece of advice: when you call HESC (if you need to), make sure to ask them to note your file that you confirmed the single-parent reporting requirement for unmarried/separated parents. I had a situation where different representatives gave me conflicting information initially, and having that note in my file saved me from having to re-explain the whole situation multiple times. Also, don't stress too much about potentially getting "more" aid from TAP than you would if they counted both parents - the system is designed this way intentionally, and you're not gaming anything by following their rules correctly. The whole point is that different aid programs have different methodologies for determining need. You're doing everything right by reporting just your dad's info since you lived with him more!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been helping students navigate NY financial aid for a while - this thread is absolutely gold for anyone dealing with the unmarried/separated parents TAP situation! I see this confusion come up constantly, and honestly, the lack of clear communication from HESC about how TAP differs from FAFSA is really frustrating. A few additional tips for anyone finding this thread: 1) If you're unsure which parent to choose, go with whoever you can honestly say you lived with more during the past 12 months - don't overthink it or try to game the system, 2) Keep records of your choice and reasoning like others mentioned, and 3) Remember that this is totally legitimate - you're not doing anything wrong by reporting only one parent when that's literally what the system requires. The fact that so many students think the application is broken shows how poorly this is communicated by the state. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - threads like this are incredibly valuable for future students facing the same confusion!

I'm a financial aid counselor and want to add a few important points that might help your situation: First, regarding the appeal - you mentioned only one late car payment, but PLUS loan denials are typically triggered by delinquencies 90+ days past due, bankruptcies, foreclosures, or tax liens. Check your credit report from all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) as there might be something else you're not aware of. Second, here's a strategy many families miss: If your appeal is denied, consider having your daughter's other parent (if applicable) apply for the PLUS loan instead. Each parent can apply separately, and one denial doesn't affect the other parent's eligibility. Third, contact your state's higher education agency - many states have emergency grant programs for students facing funding gaps. These are often overlooked but can provide $1,000-$3,000 in additional aid. Finally, if you're truly stuck, consider having your daughter take just 3/4 time enrollment (9-11 credits instead of 12+) for one semester. This reduces costs while maintaining financial aid eligibility, and she can make up credits during summer or winter sessions when costs are often lower. Don't give up - there are usually more options than initially apparent!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got my PLUS loan denial letter two weeks ago and have been scrambling ever since. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially learning about institutional loan alternatives and the possibility of having my spouse apply separately. One thing I discovered that might help others: if you're working with a financial aid office that seems unhelpful, try calling the main financial aid number and asking to speak with a senior counselor or supervisor. Sometimes the front-line staff don't know about all available options, but the supervisors have access to emergency funds and alternative programs that aren't widely advertised. Also, I found out that some schools will allow you to audit a class (sit in without credit) for a much lower fee if you're just one or two credits short of full-time status due to financial constraints. It's not ideal, but it can help maintain enrollment status while you work out the funding issues. Hang in there - this process is incredibly stressful but there really are more options than it initially seems!

Since you've confirmed your Parent Plus loan is set up correctly with the refund authorized to go to you, and you've verified there are no outstanding requirements that could delay disbursement, your main challenge is just the timing gap between your rent due date and the refund processing. A few additional strategies to consider: 1. Many universities have emergency short-term loans specifically designed for this situation. They're usually interest-free if repaid within 30-60 days, which would be when your refund arrives. Check with your student financial services office. 2. If your lease is through a company that specializes in student housing (rather than an individual landlord), they might already have policies for students awaiting financial aid disbursements. These companies often allow you to delay the first payment with proof of pending financial aid. 3. For future semesters, you might consider increasing your Parent Plus loan amount slightly to create a small buffer for these timing issues. The extra funds can be used to pre-pay next semester's first month, eliminating this problem going forward. The key is to communicate proactively with all parties - don't wait until the last minute to address the timing gap.

Just wanted to add one more tip from my experience - if you do end up needing to bridge the gap with temporary funds, consider asking your landlord if they'll accept a partial payment (like just the security deposit) by August 1st and then allow you to pay the first month's rent once your refund comes through. Many student-focused landlords are familiar with this timing issue and will work with you if you're upfront about it and can provide documentation of your pending financial aid. It shows you're being responsible about the situation rather than just hoping it works out. Also, get any payment arrangement in writing via email so there's no confusion later!

One more thing to keep in mind - make sure your sons accept any federal aid offers (like Pell Grants or subsidized loans) even if they're not sure they'll attend that school yet. You can always decline later, but if you don't accept by the deadline, you might lose the opportunity. Also, some schools have priority deadlines for accepting aid packages that are earlier than the May 1st enrollment deadline, so read all the fine print carefully! Good luck with everything - you're doing great navigating this process for the first time.

As someone who just went through this with my daughter last year, I wanted to add that you should also check if any of the schools your sons applied to participate in state grant programs! Some states have additional need-based grants that use your FAFSA info but require separate applications or have different deadlines. For example, our state had a grant program that provided an extra $3,000 per year, but we almost missed it because the deadline was earlier than we expected. Also, don't forget about merit scholarships - some schools automatically consider all applicants, but others require separate essays or applications. Your sons' stats might qualify them for merit aid on top of need-based aid, which can really help bridge the gap. The whole process is definitely overwhelming at first, but you're asking all the right questions!