Quick follow-up question - does anyone know if I need to complete the CSS Profile for NJ schools as well? I'm applying to Princeton (longshot, I know) along with Rutgers and Rowan.

Just wanted to add that if you're planning to transfer between NJ schools later, you'll need to update your NJFAMS account with your new school information. I transferred from community college to a 4-year school mid-year and almost lost my TAG because I forgot to update my enrollment status in NJFAMS. The system doesn't automatically sync with your school changes like federal aid does. Also, keep your NJFAMS login info safe - I've seen people get locked out right before deadlines and it's a nightmare to recover your account during peak season!

As someone who's been helping families navigate FAFSA for years, I want to emphasize a few key points that haven't been fully covered yet. Your SAI of 5400 actually puts you in a pretty good position - you should definitely qualify for partial Pell Grant funding (likely around $2,000-3,500 depending on enrollment status) plus subsidized loan eligibility. One crucial thing to remember is that financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for institutional funds, so make sure your daughter submits all required documents to each school ASAP. Also, don't overlook merit-based scholarships that aren't need-dependent - many students focus only on need-based aid and miss out on merit opportunities. For your state school at $24k/year, you're looking at roughly $18,600 in demonstrated need. While the school may not meet 100% of that need, state universities often have decent aid programs for in-state students. Make sure to also check if your daughter qualifies for any state grant programs - these can add several thousand more in aid that isn't captured in the federal calculation. One last tip: if your financial situation has changed since you filed taxes (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), document everything for a potential appeal. Schools have more flexibility than people realize when circumstances warrant it.

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences here! I'm also navigating the FAFSA process for the first time with my son, and our SAI came back at 6100. Reading through all of your detailed explanations has been incredibly enlightening - I had no idea that the SAI was literally a dollar amount rather than just some abstract score. The tip about using Net Price Calculators is gold - I just spent the evening running numbers for all of his target schools and the variations are eye-opening. One school that seemed expensive actually came out cheaper after aid than a "bargain" state school. I'm also definitely going to look into our state's grant programs after seeing how much they helped some of your families. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone here had experience with schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need? I keep seeing this phrase pop up in my research but I'm not sure how to identify which schools actually follow through on this promise versus just claiming they do.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation! I returned to school after a 6-year break and had the same concerns about my old FSA ID. Everyone here has given you spot-on advice - definitely stick with your original account! I was so worried about outdated information causing problems, but when I logged back in, the system actually made it really easy to update everything. It walked me through each section where I needed to make changes (address, phone, employment status, etc.). The whole process was much smoother than I anticipated. One thing that really helped me was calling my school's financial aid office before starting the FAFSA. They were able to give me a heads up about what to expect as a returning student and even let me know about some grants specifically for students like us who are coming back to finish degrees. Definitely worth a quick call! You should feel proud of yourself for taking this step to go back and finish your education. It takes real courage, and from reading all these responses, it sounds like you're going to be in good company with so many other successful returning students! Best of luck with everything! 💪

I'm another returning student who just went through this process! I took a 7-year break and was so nervous about my old FSA ID potentially causing issues. But everyone here is absolutely right - definitely use your existing account! When I logged back in last month, I was amazed at how user-friendly the system was for updating outdated information. It literally guided me through each section that needed updates and even explained why certain information was important to keep current. One thing I discovered that might help you - if you're worried about your account security after being away so long, you can update your security questions and password right after you log back in. That gave me peace of mind that my account was fully secure with my current information. Also, don't stress too much about the 5-year gap - the financial aid office at my school told me they see returning students all the time, and many have been away even longer than we have! You're definitely not alone in this situation. Good luck with your return to school - it's such an exciting step and you should be proud of yourself for deciding to go back and finish what you started! 🎓

For a comprehensive resource that covers all types of financial aid in one place, I'd highly recommend the Federal Student Aid website (studentaid.gov) - they have a section called "Types of Aid" that breaks down everything from Pell Grants to work-study to different loan types. Also check out the College Board's "Paying for College" section and NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) website for detailed explanations. Your daughter's high school guidance counselor might also have some great resources or worksheets that organize all this information. Don't feel overwhelmed - even financial aid professionals say this stuff is complex! The key is taking it one piece at a time, and it sounds like you're asking all the right questions to make informed decisions for your daughter's future.

Welcome to the financial aid world! As someone who just went through this process last year with my son, I wanted to share a few additional tips that might help. First, make sure to accept your aid packages in the order they're offered - grants first, then work-study, then subsidized loans, and unsubsidized loans last. Also, don't forget to look into local scholarships from community organizations, employers, or even your grocery store - these smaller awards ($500-$2000) can really add up and often have fewer applicants than the big national scholarships. Finally, consider having your daughter apply for on-campus jobs early, even if she doesn't get work-study. Many schools hire students for regular hourly positions that can help with those day-to-day expenses. The negative SAI is definitely a great starting point, but there are so many other opportunities to explore!

I'm new to this community but your situation really caught my attention because I'm currently helping my sister navigate something very similar. She's going through a divorce and has about $32k in Parent Plus loans that she signed for alone during her marriage. One thing that might be worth exploring - and I apologize if this has been covered already - is whether Florida has any specific provisions for educational expenses in divorce settlements. I know some states treat education costs for children (including loan repayments) as ongoing child support obligations that can be shared between parents even after divorce. Also, from what I've been learning about Parent Plus loans, there are some newer income-driven repayment options that weren't available a few years ago. The Income-Contingent Repayment plan can sometimes result in significantly lower monthly payments if your post-divorce income is substantially less than your combined marital income was. I've been impressed by how supportive this community is in sharing real experiences rather than just theoretical advice. It's clear that unfortunately many families face this exact situation where federal loan policies don't align with how education decisions are actually made in families. Hoping you're able to find a path forward that works for your situation.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some insights from my experience working in financial aid administration. What you're dealing with is unfortunately very common, and the responses here have covered most of the key points accurately. One thing I'd add is that when you do speak with Federal Student Aid (whether through the regular line or services like Claimyr that others mentioned), make sure to ask specifically about the Income-Contingent Repayment plan if you consolidate your Parent Plus loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan. This can potentially lower your payments significantly based on your post-divorce income alone, rather than the combined income that was likely used for the original loan terms. Also, while you're gathering documentation for your divorce proceedings, I'd recommend pulling your complete Federal Student Aid history online through your FSA ID. This will show exactly when each loan was disbursed and can help demonstrate the timeline of decisions if you need to show these were joint family choices made during the marriage. The system really is unfair in how it handles family situations like divorce, but understanding all your federal repayment options will at least give you more leverage in your settlement negotiations. Wishing you the best as you navigate this difficult situation.