I'm new to this community and going through the exact same situation! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. As a parent of a high school senior, I was also worried about whether submitting FAFSA would hurt our chances for merit aid due to our income level. It's reassuring to hear from so many experienced parents and even someone who works in college admissions that merit and need-based aid are typically handled separately. The tip about contacting financial aid offices directly is something I definitely plan to do. One question for those who've been through this - did you find that private colleges were generally more transparent about their merit aid policies when you contacted them directly, or did you get mostly generic responses? I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach these conversations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this thread is a goldmine of information for anxious parents like us!

Welcome to both of you newcomers! This is such a great thread - I wish I had found a resource like this when I was starting the college process with my first child. To answer your question about private college transparency, I found that most were quite helpful when I asked direct, specific questions. The key is being very clear about what you're asking. Instead of "Can you tell me about your merit aid policies?" try something like "If a family submits FAFSA but doesn't qualify for need-based aid, does that information influence merit scholarship decisions in any way?" I also found it helpful to ask about their merit scholarship timeline - when decisions are made, what committees review them, etc. Most admissions counselors were happy to explain their process, which helped me understand that merit really is separate from need-based aid at most places. One tip: if you email, you might get a quicker response than calling. Many financial aid offices are swamped with calls but can respond to emails more efficiently. Good luck to all the parents going through this - it's stressful but you'll get through it!

Just wanted to add that if you're feeling overwhelmed by all this financial aid info (which is totally normal!), most colleges have financial aid calculators on their websites where you can get a rough estimate of what aid you might receive. It won't be exact, but it can help you get a sense of which schools might be more affordable before you get your official aid letters. Also, don't forget to look into state grants and local scholarships - with your -1500 SAI, you'll likely qualify for additional need-based aid beyond just federal programs!

As someone who went through this process a few years ago, I want to emphasize something really important that hasn't been mentioned yet - don't forget about work-study! With your -1500 SAI, you'll likely qualify for Federal Work-Study programs at most schools. This can be a great way to earn money for college expenses while gaining work experience on campus. When you get your aid letters, look for work-study as part of your package - it's not "free money" like grants, but it's a guaranteed way to earn funds during the school year. Many work-study jobs are flexible with class schedules and some are even related to your field of study!

UPDATE: Finally got the form! For anyone else dealing with this, I ended up downloading the general IDR application from StudentAid.gov, filling it out with my Nelnet account info, and faxing it to them using an online fax service. I also called (finally got through) and requested the administrative forbearance while it processes. The agent confirmed they're having technical issues with their electronic system for IDR applications but said it should be resolved within 6 weeks. In the meantime, they're processing all applications manually. She also emailed me a receipt confirming they received my application. Thanks everyone for your help!

Just want to add for anyone else dealing with this - if you're having trouble with the online fax services, most UPS Stores and FedEx locations can fax documents for you for a small fee (usually $1-2 per page). I know it seems old-school, but it's faster than mailing and you get a confirmation receipt. Also, make sure to include a cover sheet with your loan account number and clearly write "IDR APPLICATION" at the top - it helps them route it to the right department faster. The whole situation is frustrating but at least there are workarounds while they fix their system.

Thank you so much for doing that math! That makes me feel a lot better about our situation. I was really worried their savings would completely eliminate aid options, but $4,117 isn't nearly as bad as I feared.

As someone who just went through this process with my own family, I wanted to add that the timing of when you file your FAFSA can also matter for asset reporting. Since FAFSA uses a snapshot of your assets on the day you file, it's worth considering normal fluctuations in your accounts. For example, if your parents typically have higher balances right after tax refunds or lower balances after paying property taxes, you might want to time your filing accordingly. With your parents' $42K income and two kids in college, you're in a good position for aid regardless of the savings, but every little bit helps! Also, make sure to complete the FAFSA as early as possible since some state and school aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Welcome to the community! As someone who just went through this process with my own kid, I can tell you that your SAI number is NOT a barrier to merit scholarships. Most merit aid is completely separate from need-based calculations - schools want to attract strong students regardless of their financial situation. Here's what I learned: focus on schools where your daughter's academic profile puts her in the top 25-30% of admitted students. These schools will offer merit money to entice her to attend. Also, don't overlook regional universities and smaller colleges - they often have more generous merit aid budgets than you'd expect. For your employment situation, definitely reach out to financial aid offices directly about special circumstances. Many schools are understanding about family situations like caring for elderly parents. Document everything and be prepared to explain the timeline of your employment change. The process feels overwhelming now, but you'll find there are more opportunities than you initially thought. Your daughter's academic achievements matter more than your SAI for merit scholarships!

As a newcomer to this community, I want to echo what others have said - your SAI won't prevent your daughter from getting merit scholarships! I'm currently going through this process with my twin sons, and despite our SAI being over 120k, they've already received merit offers from several schools. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet: look into automatic merit scholarships. Many state universities have published grids showing exactly what GPA/test score combinations guarantee specific scholarship amounts. These are completely separate from need-based aid and your FAFSA results don't matter at all. Also, regarding your employment change - I'd suggest keeping detailed records of your caregiving situation with your mom, including any medical documentation if available. Financial aid officers are often more sympathetic to family caregiving situations than people realize. Some schools even have specific provisions for families who've had employment gaps due to eldercare responsibilities. Don't give up hope! The merit aid landscape is much more favorable than the doom and gloom around high SAI scores would suggest.