What an incredible thread to read through! As someone who went through this exact same confusion with my oldest daughter three years ago, I want to echo what everyone has said - you're doing an amazing job advocating for your daughter, and an SAI of 4620 is actually quite good for receiving meaningful financial aid. One thing I learned that I wish someone had told me earlier: when you get that award letter, pay close attention to whether any of the aid is renewable each year or if it's just for the first year. Some merit scholarships are only for freshman year, which can create a nasty surprise later. Always ask about renewal requirements and whether aid packages typically stay consistent across all four years. Also, don't forget that your daughter can also look for outside scholarships even after starting college. Many local organizations, her high school counseling office, and even the university itself often have ongoing scholarship opportunities that can help reduce costs each semester. You've gotten such great advice here about appeals, comparing true costs, and keeping organized records. Your daughter is so lucky to have a parent who's willing to ask questions and fight for her education. Best of luck when that award letter arrives!

This has been such an inspiring thread to follow! As a financial aid counselor at a community college, I wanted to add one more perspective that might be helpful. You mentioned your daughter was accepted to both State University and Community College as a backup - don't underestimate the community college option if finances become tight. Many students don't realize that completing general education requirements at a community college and then transferring can cut total degree costs by 40-50% while still earning the same bachelor's degree from State University. Most community colleges have guaranteed transfer agreements that ensure credits will transfer seamlessly. With her SAI of 4620, she'd likely qualify for significant aid at the community college level too, potentially making those first two years very affordable or even free depending on your state's programs. It's not giving up on her dreams - it's a strategic financial decision that many successful students make. That said, the four-year experience has its own value, and it sounds like you're on track to get good aid information from State University soon. Just wanted you to know that the community college pathway is a completely valid and often very smart choice, not a "lesser" option. Whatever you decide, you're clearly doing everything right as her advocate!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation! Just discovered that my 401k rollover from last year ($41,200) got pulled in as income on my FAFSA and my daughter's SAI is completely wrong as a result. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that schools could make professional judgment adjustments or that this was such a common issue with the new FAFSA system. I'm definitely going to skip trying to call Federal Student Aid (sounds like a nightmare) and go straight to contacting my daughter's school's financial aid office with my 1099-R form. It's such a relief to know this is fixable and that other families have successfully gotten it corrected. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially those who provided the step-by-step process and specific terminology to use when contacting the schools. This community is a lifesaver during such a stressful time!

I'm new to this community and just ran into this exact problem! My 401k rollover from a job change last year ($35,800) got automatically imported as income and completely threw off my son's FAFSA. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge help - I had no idea this was so common or that there was a clear process to fix it. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about going straight to the school's financial aid office rather than trying to battle through FSA phone lines. Already pulled out my 1099-R and confirmed it has code G in box 7, so I should be good to go. It's frustrating that the "improved" FAFSA system can't distinguish between actual income and retirement account transfers, but at least now I know exactly what steps to take. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and especially to the financial aid counselor who broke down the whole professional judgment process. This community is amazing for helping families navigate these confusing situations!

Hey Samuel! As someone who's helped dozens of families navigate this exact situation, I wanted to add a few more resources that might help. First, definitely look into your state's 529 college savings plan - even if you haven't been contributing, some states offer last-minute contribution benefits or tax deductions that could help offset some costs. Also, check if your daughter's school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program (if you're a veteran) or has any specific aid for single-parent families. Many schools have "hidden" scholarship funds that aren't well-advertised but can provide $1,000-$3,000 in additional aid. One last tip: if your daughter is considering work-study as part of her aid package, encourage her to apply early for on-campus jobs. The good positions (library, tutoring centers, etc.) that work well with class schedules get taken quickly. The income can help cover those miscellaneous expenses that aren't included in tuition but still add up. You're asking all the right questions and it sounds like you're in much better shape than you initially thought!

Hi Samuel! I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I just went through something similar with my twin daughters last year. Reading through this thread, it looks like you've gotten some excellent advice, especially about understanding what SAI actually means - that was a huge lightbulb moment for me too when I first learned it! One thing I didn't see mentioned yet: if your daughter is planning to live on campus, make sure you understand the difference between "tuition" and "cost of attendance." Schools often quote tuition separately from room/board/fees, so that $19,800 might not include everything. When you meet with financial aid, ask for a complete breakdown of ALL costs so you're not surprised later. Also, if your financial situation has gotten better OR worse since you filed your FAFSA, definitely mention that during your meeting. They can sometimes make adjustments in either direction. The system is definitely overwhelming at first, but you're doing exactly the right thing by asking questions and getting informed. Your daughter is lucky to have a parent who's being so proactive about understanding all the options!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! My school is also being super vague about disbursement dates and suddenly claiming I owe money after telling me I was fully covered. What's really frustrating is they keep saying "it's being processed" but won't give me any timeline. I've been trying to get my transcripts released for weeks now because I need them for a job application. Have you tried going above the financial aid office? I'm thinking about contacting the registrar's office directly since they're the ones actually holding my records. Also, is there a student advocacy office at your school? Mine has one and I'm wondering if they might be able to help push for faster resolution. Keep us updated on what happens when you meet with the Financial Aid Director - I might need to do the same thing!

This whole situation sounds incredibly frustrating and unfortunately too common. I went through something similar a few years ago where my school suddenly claimed I owed money after graduation due to "updated verification." Here's what I learned: 1. The disconnect between your studentaid.gov account showing completed disbursements while your school claims otherwise is a HUGE red flag - this needs immediate attention. 2. Don't accept vague answers like "next batch" - schools have specific disbursement schedules they must follow by law. 3. Document everything in writing and get names/dates for every conversation. Since you completed in December, they might be doing a Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation, but they're still required to explain this clearly. The fact that they won't provide specific dates or documentation suggests they're either disorganized or hoping you'll just pay without questioning. I'd recommend escalating to the school's ombudsman or student advocacy office if the Financial Aid Director meeting doesn't resolve things. You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get your professional license just because they can't properly manage financial aid records. Stay persistent and don't let them brush you off with non-answers!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through college with independent status due to guardianship - the advice here is spot on! One thing I'd add is to make sure your nephew understands that being independent for FAFSA purposes is actually a huge advantage financially, even though the circumstances that led to it are difficult. With his low income from the grocery store job and independent status, he'll likely qualify for the maximum Pell Grant ($7,395 for 2024-25), plus potentially state grants and institutional aid. That's money that doesn't have to be repaid. Combined with the higher loan limits mentioned earlier, he could have his education costs largely covered. Also, encourage him to keep working if possible - work experience is valuable for college applications and future opportunities, plus having some income shows financial responsibility to aid offices. Just make sure he knows to keep detailed records of all his earnings. The fact that you're planning this early and asking the right questions means he's going to be in such a better position than students who figure this out last minute. You're giving him an incredible gift by navigating all this complexity now!

As a newcomer to this community, I wanted to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful information on this thread! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational - I had no idea there were so many nuances to guardianship situations and FAFSA requirements. I'm particularly struck by how many people have emphasized getting the court documents reviewed by professionals early in the process. It seems like the exact legal terminology can make such a huge difference between independent and dependent status, which completely changes the financial aid picture. For someone like me who might face similar situations in the future, this thread is a goldmine of practical advice - from keeping detailed timelines and earnings records, to exploring community college pathways, to connecting with specialized resources like NASFAA and state Department of Education staff. StarStrider, your nephew is so fortunate to have someone advocating for him this thoughtfully and starting the planning process early. Best of luck navigating everything - it sounds like you're setting him up for success despite the challenging circumstances that brought you here!