One thing to keep in mind is that even though you didn't file taxes, you should still gather any 1099 forms you might have received in addition to your W-2s. Some gig work (like freelance work, delivery services, etc.) might have issued 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms if you earned over $600 from a single source. These also count as income from work that needs to be reported on the FAFSA, even if the total wasn't enough to require filing a tax return.

As a financial aid counselor, I want to emphasize that accuracy is key here. When you report your 2022 income from work on the FAFSA, make sure you're using the gross income amounts (before taxes/deductions) from your W-2s and any 1099 forms. Even though you didn't file a tax return, this income will still factor into your SAI calculation. Also, if you do get selected for verification, don't panic! It's actually pretty routine for independent students who didn't file taxes. Your school's financial aid office will walk you through exactly what documents they need. The process can take a few weeks, so submit your FAFSA as early as possible to account for any potential verification delays.

Glad to hear you got some clarity on the process! Just wanted to add one more thing for anyone else reading this thread - make sure to keep detailed records of all your Parent PLUS loan documents and payments. The servicers can be pretty disorganized and I've had friends who had to prove payments they'd already made. Also, if your financial situation changes significantly (job loss, medical expenses, etc.), you can request deferment or forbearance on Parent PLUS loans, though interest will keep accruing. It's not ideal but it's better than defaulting. Good luck with both kids' college journeys!

I'm new to navigating Parent PLUS loans and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I found it useful to create a timeline/calendar for when to submit each application. Since the credit checks are valid for 180 days, timing can be important if you're applying for multiple children in different academic years. Also, for anyone worried about the debt burden (which is totally valid!), some schools offer emergency aid or additional institutional grants for families experiencing unexpected financial hardship - it's worth reaching out to the financial aid office to ask about these options. They're not always well-publicized but can sometimes bridge funding gaps without taking on more loan debt.

Hey Jamal! Your SAI of 3040 is actually really good news - you're definitely in the range for substantial federal aid! I'm a college counselor and work with first-gen students like yourself all the time, so let me break this down in simple terms: With your family income of $58K and SAI of 3040, you're looking at: - Approximately $3,200-3,800 in Pell Grant money (free money!) - Eligibility for subsidized federal loans (government pays interest while you're in school) - Potential work-study opportunities - Likely qualification for your state's need-based grants too The key thing to remember is that your SAI represents the MINIMUM you might pay, not necessarily what you WILL pay. Many schools will offer additional institutional aid on top of federal programs. Pro tip: When those award letters arrive, don't get overwhelmed by all the numbers. Focus on these three questions: 1. How much is this school giving me in grants/scholarships? (free money) 2. How much would I need to borrow? (loans) 3. What's my final out-of-pocket cost per year? You're doing everything right by asking these questions now. Most students wait until May to figure this stuff out!

Hey Jamal! First off, congratulations on completing your FAFSA - that's a huge step that many first-gen students find intimidating. Your SAI of 3040 is actually really encouraging news for your financial aid prospects! As others have mentioned, you're definitely in the range for federal aid. With your family income of $58K, you should qualify for partial Pell Grants (likely $3,000-4,000 annually) plus subsidized loans and potentially work-study. Since you mentioned being first-gen, I wanted to share a resource that helped me tremendously: many colleges have specific first-generation student support programs that include additional financial literacy workshops and sometimes even emergency funds. When you're deciding between schools, ask about these programs - they can be game-changers for navigating college finances. Also, don't forget to fill out your state's financial aid application if your state has one! Some states have separate applications for state grants that can add another $1,000-3,000 to your aid package. You're asking all the right questions at exactly the right time. The hardest part is behind you - now it's just waiting for those award letters and making smart comparisons. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Congratulations on getting your award! That's awesome news and such a relief when you finally see those numbers. Your experience is exactly why I always tell people not to stress too much about the SAI number - the thresholds are higher than most people think. $3,465 is a solid amount that will definitely help with your costs. Hope your sophomore year goes smoothly!

Welcome to the community! Your SAI of 2800 should definitely qualify you for Pell Grant funding - you're actually in a better position than the original poster. Based on what others have shared here, you'll likely receive around $3,800-$4,200 for the year if you're enrolled full-time. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but it sounds like you're on track to get good aid. Make sure to check studentaid.gov to see your official eligibility, and don't hesitate to reach out to your school's financial aid office if you have questions once your package is ready!

Just went through this exact same situation with my daughter's FAFSA last month! The wording is definitely confusing. Like everyone else has confirmed, "student tax filing status" means YOUR DAUGHTER specifically, not you as parents. Since she made $3,500 (well under the $12,950 threshold), select "Will not file" for her tax status. The FAFSA will ask for her income separately later in the student section - just enter that $3,500 from her W-2. Your parent tax info gets entered in a completely different section. One tip: print out or screenshot each section as you complete it. The new FAFSA sometimes kicks you out and it's helpful to have a record of what you've already entered. Good luck with the rest of the application!

I just finished my daughter's FAFSA last week and had this exact same confusion! The "student tax filing status" question definitely refers to YOUR DAUGHTER only, not you as the parent. Since your daughter made less than the $12,950 filing threshold, you should select "Will not file" for her tax status. Don't worry - the FAFSA will still ask you to report her $3,500 summer job income in the student income section later on. They separate student and parent financial information into different sections of the application. One thing that helped me was to think of it this way: anywhere it says "student" it means your child, anywhere it says "parent" it means you. The application keeps these completely separate. Your parent tax information and income will be requested in the parent section (Section 4 I believe). Hope this helps clear up the confusion - the wording really could be better!